Home Buyer Households: Valentine’s Day 2019

Using data from the 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers we can break down household composition, and the relationship it has to home purchasing choices.

• Among all recent home buyers, 63 percent were married couples, 18 percent were single females, nine percent were single males, and eight percent were unmarried couples.
• Four percent of recent buyers identified as gay or lesbian, and one percent identified as bisexual.
• Among first-time buyers, 54 percent were married couples, and 67 percent of repeat buyers were married couples.
• Among first-time buyers, 16 percent were unmarried couples, and five percent of repeat buyers were married couples.
• Among all home buyers, 82 percent purchased a detached single-family home, eight percent purchased a townhouse/row house, four percent purchased an apartment or condo.
• Eighty-seven percent of married couples, and 83 percent of unmarried couples purchased a detached single-family home.
• Married couples were typically 45 years old with a household income of $106,300. They typically purchased a home that was a median of 2,070 sq. ft., for $289,000.
• Unmarried couples were typically 34 years old with a household income of $88,800. They typically purchased a home that was a median of 1,630 sq. ft., for $219,000.
• Single females were typically 54 years old with a household income of $61,400. They typically purchased a home that was a median of 1,550 sq. ft., for $189,000.
• Single males were typically 52 years old with a household income of $73,200. They typically purchased homes that were a median of 1,590 sq. ft., for $215,000.
• Fifteen percent of all buyers were influenced to choose their neighborhood based on the convenience to a vet or outdoor space for their pet. 20 percent of unmarried couples chose their neighborhood based on the convenience to a vet or outdoor space for their pet.

For more information on how relationship status and household composition affects homeownership choices, check out the 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers and the Valentine's Day infographic.