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Older Boomers, buyers aged 63 to 71 years, made up 14 percent of all home buyers in 2017. The median age for this group was 66 years old and they were born between 1946 and 1954. Within this group, they had the second largest share of single female buyers at 22 percent. Their primary reasons for purchasing a home, more than other generations, were the desire to live closer to friends and family (25 percent), followed by retirement (15 percent).
Combined, Older Boomers owned the highest share of investment (nine percent) and vacation (seven percent) properties. Equal to the Silent Generation, Older Boomers were the most likely to purchase homes in a small town (27 percent) and in a rural area (11 percent).
Compared to other buyers, they moved the greatest distances at a median of 30 miles. Older Boomers were the least likely to purchase homes for the quality of school districts or convenience to schools. Rather, they purchased homes for the quality of the neighborhood and for convenience to friends and family. This age group found commuting costs as well as windows, doors, and siding installation equally important. Overall, Older Boomers were very likely not to make compromises on the home when they purchased (47 percent), citing that they were never moving and it was their forever home (27 percent).
In their home search process, Older Boomers were very likely to drive by homes and neighborhoods and they were the least likely to find the paperwork a difficult step. Older Boomers were the most satisfied with the home buying process at 93 percent.
Older Boomers’ income was below the median income of all buyers ($88,800) at just $80,700 and they purchased homes at a median price of $239,200. Older Boomers were the most likely to use the proceeds from the sale of a primary residence as the source of their downpayment (56 percent) and from an IRA account (five percent). They were the largest group of home buyers to save for a downpayment for more than two years (30 percent).
Older Boomers were the third largest share of home sellers at 22 percent in 2017. The median age for an Older Boomer seller was 67 years. They had the second lowest median income at $80,700. They were the most likely to sell to be closer to friends and family (28 percent) and for retirement (19 percent), and at a median distance of 39 miles from the home they recently purchased. They were also very likely to sell when they wanted to (94 percent). They receive the highest equity at 46 percent and second highest dollar value at $86,000.