Millennials are not just the largest generation in the country. They’re now the largest generational group of homebuyers, overtaking the spot long held by baby boomers. In 2023, younger and older millennials together made up 38% of all homebuyers, with Generation X following at 24%.
It’s safe to say that there’s a significant difference between what millennials want when compared to other generations. Born between 1981 and 1996, most millennials came of age in an era of rapid technological advancement and many major shifts in the U.S. housing market.
As a seller, it pays to understand what millennials truly want in a home if you want to appeal to the largest buyer demographic.
-
Millennials are looking for a house that’s close to work.
-
Millennials want environmentally friendly elements in their homes.
-
Millennials prefer having smart home features.
-
Millennials are looking for multifunctional rooms.
-
Millennials are searching for homes online.
-
Outdoor access is a big plus.
-
Millennials want affordable homes — size isn’t the biggest priority.
One of the many priorities of the average millennial homebuyer is a location that is close to their job. According to a report by NAR, 62% of young millennials and 53% of older millennials are choosing to live in neighborhoods that provide quick and easy access to their workplaces. This is primarily to save on commuting costs.
Practicality is also a major consideration. Around a third of millennial homebuyers cite convenience to friends and family, shopping, and entertainment as important factors they consider when buying a home.
Data shows that eco-friendly elements are fast becoming a priority for many homebuyers, and millennials are no exception. When marketing your property, consider emphasizing the eco-friendly elements of your home, or even installing energy-efficient appliances, skylights, and solar panels. If your home uses natural and sustainable materials, make those a selling point.
Millennial homebuyers tend to be more conscious of their environmental impact than earlier generations and they are also cost-conscious. Environmentally adjusted heating and cooling systems can lower the carbon footprint and utility bills of a house. In fact, roughly a third of millennial homebuyers place importance on heating and cooling costs, while about a quarter consider energy-efficient lighting a must-have.
Millennial homebuyers are looking for smart home technologies that offer both convenience and energy efficiency. These can be smartphone apps that allow control over lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems remotely, or smart security systems that provide peace of mind through features like remote monitoring and notifications for unexpected activity.
This is hardly surprising for a generation that has grown up in a time of rapid technological advancement.
As a seller, having versatile spaces in your property can be a huge advantage. These areas are not only space-saving but also cater to the diverse lifestyles of their homeowners. An example would be a work area that becomes a guest bedroom at night, or a children’s playroom that also doubles as their study space.
House-hunting is now more tech-oriented than ever. As many as 50% of younger millennials say they found their home through an online search, similar to 46% of older millennials. While this isn’t limited to one generation — nearly a third of baby boomers also use the internet for their home search — millennials are by far the most tech-dependent when it comes to real estate research.
For sellers, this means making sure your listings are visible and prominent online. This is not just about making your listings eye-catching, although that certainly helps. Photos, detailed property information, floor plans, virtual tours, and neighborhood insights — essentially, all the key details about a listing — are crucial to engage potential buyers.
For many millennial homeowners, having access to nature is important. With more individuals spending time at home to accommodate hybrid or remote work setups, the convenience of unplugging and reconnecting with the outdoors can be a wonderful way to de-stress from a busy day. Sprucing up your patios, and gardens, and setting up an outdoor living space can immediately make your property more attractive to potential millennial buyers.
Perhaps what separates most millennials from earlier generations is the importance they place on affordability and value versus size. While baby boomers sought large, spacious properties for their first homes, data shows that millennials would rather purchase a smaller, more affordable home, provided that it meets their other needs, such as being close to their workplaces or in a high-quality neighborhood.
If you’re thinking of selling your home in Palm Beach County, look no further than The Telchin Group. We specialize in Ibis real estate and marketing Palm Beach County homes for sale. For more information, get in touch with The Telchin Group at 561.301.0249 or send us an email here.