Generation X is barnstorming the market, so to speak, and Millennials and Baby Boomers might be swapping their perspectives on the urban, suburban divide.
"Gen X may not be getting as much attention these days as the (forever) up-and-coming millennial generation, but it’s making its mark on the housing market as the only generation to buy more homes last year than it did in the previous one," reports Clare Trapasso.
Those findings according to the latest National Association of Realtors® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends survey, which explains the Gen X real estate resurgence as a sign of recovery from the Great Recession.
Still, despite the growth of Generation X's influence in the real estate market, Millennials still bought the most houses, according to the survey, buying 34 percent of the homes on the market. The survey also found evidence of a long-debated possibility: that Millennials are ditching the urban environment for more suburban settings. "Only about 15% of millennials bought homes in urban areas, according to the survey. That’s down from 17% the year before and 21% the year before that." Meanwhile, 57% of Millennials bought homes in the suburbs, up from 51% the year before.
Moreover, it seems that Baby Boomers are driving the urban boom these days. Realtor found that 22% of boomers surveyed bought homes in urban areas, for a much higher percentage than Millennials could muster. Still, 49% of boomers bought homes in the suburbs.
Trapasso also gathered quotes to explain the trends from Lynn Richards, president and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism, and Dowell Myers, public policy professor at the University of Southern California.
FULL STORY: Guess Which Generation Is Making the Biggest Comeback in Real Estate

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont