New home-buyers are a little older and a lot more likely to be single than they were 20 years ago.
The kinds of Americans buying homes for the first time has changed a lot since 1997. According to a new study from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard, new homeowners are more likely to be single and Asian. Today almost 50% of new home-buyers are single in 1997, that number was less than 40%.
"New homeowners aren’t much older than before—the median age in 2017 was 34, compared to 32 in 1997—but they are more diverse, which is in line with demographic shifts since the 1990s," Linda Poon reports for CityLab. The study also found the share of homes bought buy Asian singles or couples is growing while the share for African Americans is shrinking. "[African Americans] made up just 9 percent of first-time homebuyers in 2017, compared to 14 percent in 1997," Poon writes.
FULL STORY: Buying Your First Home? A Look at 20-Year Trends
Condo Sales Drop Everywhere in New York City, But Least of All Outside of Manhattan
A clearer picture of the economic downturn's effects on New York City real estate is emerging. So far, new buyers are betting on boroughs not named Manhattan.
In the Housing Market, a Few Decades Makes a Huge Difference
"[P]erhaps at this point, this column should include a trigger warning for any young couple traumatized by the current housing market around here."
Millennials Searching for Affordable Homebuying Opportunities in Smaller Cities
A new report from the National Association of Realtors ranked the top homebuying destinations for Millennials.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie