Monday, February 17, 2014

Millennials and Housing – Buyers or Renters?




More than a third of American Millennials are living at home with their parents, according to a Pew Research Center study

When the recession began in 2007, 32 percent or 18.5 million of Millennials—defined as 18- to 34-year olds—had not left the nest.

2014 ----- It is 36 percent, or 21.6 million are living AT HOME!

According to Pew's analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of Millennials still living at home is the highest percentage in 40 years.

A driving factor: Declining employment. Last year (2013) just 63 percent of young adults in that age group were employed, down from 70 percent in 2007.

An analysis by USA Today of Census Bureau data found that between 2005 and 2011,
25- to 34-year-olds experienced the largest drop in homeownership of any age group

According to Census Bureau data, only 36.3 percent of those younger than age 35 owned a home at the end of 2012, down from a high of 43 percent in 2006.

According to the Pew Research Center - As of March 2013, only about one-in-three Millennials (34%) headed up their own household.  In 2009, 35% of 18- to 32-year-olds headed their own households

The absence of any increase in household formations among Millennials is significant because it contributes to lackluster apartment and housing demand as well as the demand for household furnishings, etc. that goes along with independent living.

In 2013, Pew said the average Millennial with a bachelor's degree earned $45,500.

With their average salary of $45,000 and even with some debt, most Millennials could afford to purchase a home under $200,000 and manage a monthly mortgage payment with the TODAY’S interest rates.

Unfortunately, home prices are rising and interest rates will also be rising much faster than their income. Their most significant hurdle is the down payment --- cash needed to close! I believe housing will leave this generation behind even more so than their desire NOT to own a home.

If our economy is 70% consumer spending and our most significant purchase is a home, the future for housing is even more troubling if the Millennials are not thinking a home is more than just shelter        

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