✨New Survey Reveals Who’s Selling in 2025—and Why ✨

According to a new nationwide survey conducted by Bright MLS, nearly one in five homeowners are gearing up to list their property in 2025. But if you’re thinking the main driver behind these moves is long-time homeowners looking to downsize, think again.  Homeowners aged 30 to 49, many of whom bought their homes during the pandemic, are planning to sell in record numbers, while just 6.7% of homeowners aged 60-69 and 5.4% of those aged 70-79 are showing any inclination to sell. Dive into the surprising reasons behind this trend and what it means for the market.Homeowners in Their 30s and 40s Are Driving the MarketForget the stereotype of older Baby Boomers downsizing after decades in the same home. The homeowners most likely to sell in 2025 are younger and more recent buyers. According to the survey, homeowners aged 30 to 49 will dominate the market:26.8% of homeowners aged 30-39 plan to sell.28.0% of homeowners aged 40-49 plan to list their property.Compare that to just 12.1% of homeowners aged 60 and older planning to sell in 2025. Many of these younger sellers purchased their homes during the pandemic, when historically low interest rates and rapidly appreciating home values created opportunities for swift equity gains. Among prospective sellers aged 30-49, about one-third have owned their current home for less than five years.

Why Are Homeowners Selling?For younger sellers, life changes are the driving force behind the decision to move. The survey revealed significant differences between age groups:Homeowners aged 30-39:36.7% are selling due to job-related reasons, such as career changes or relocations.34.4% cite family reasons, including marriage, having children, or divorce.Homeowners aged 40-49:43.8% point to family-related changes as their primary motivation.25.8% are selling for job-related reasons.Among the homeowners aged 60+ planning to sell, downsizing is the most common reason. But the majority of Boomers report no plans to move—with nearly 60% having lived in their homes for 20 years or more and owning them outright.This finding is consistent with data from surveys by Redfin and Clever earlier this year showing Boomers are least likely of all homeowner age groups to sell in 2025. 

Homeownership Tenure Across Age GroupsThe survey highlights clear distinctions in how long homeowners of different ages have stayed in their current homes:Homeowners aged 30-39: About one-third of prospective sellers in this age group have owned their homes for less than five years. These younger homeowners are more likely to have purchased during the pandemic and quickly accumulated equity due to rising home values.Homeowners aged 40-49: While slightly more settled, a considerable number in this age group have also owned their homes for less than five years, reflecting similar trends as their younger counterparts.Homeowners aged 60+: Nearly 60% of Boomers have lived in their homes for 20 years or more. This long tenure is tied to owning their homes outright, providing financial security and reducing the need to sell.

What About Mortgage Rates?While today’s elevated mortgage rates (currently averaging 6.69% for a 30-year fixed loan) have deterred some would-be sellers, this isn’t the case for everyone. Among homeowners in their 30s and 40s planning to sell, many are still benefiting from favorable pandemic-era rates:30.3% have mortgages with rates below 4%.67.4% (more than two-thirds) have rates below 5%.These lower rates, combined with significant equity gains, provide financial flexibility for sellers despite the higher borrowing costs facing today’s buyers.Challenges for First-Time BuyersWhile younger homeowners are poised to dominate the market as sellers, their prospective buyers face steep hurdles. The average age of a first-time buyer has risen to 38, the highest on record, due to affordability challenges brought on by elevated home prices and high interest rates.The Big Picture: Life Events Drive Real Estate DecisionsUltimately, the survey underscores that major life changes—marriage, children, job relocations, retirement—continue to be the primary reasons people buy and sell homes. Despite market challenges like high mortgage rates, these milestones remain key drivers of movement in the real estate market. For 2025, expect younger, financially flexible homeowners to lead the way, reshaping expectations of who’s selling and why. Use this information as you develop and refine your marketing plan for 2025.