February 2026

Most Home Buyers and Sellers Are Over Age 55

Older Buyers Are Driving the Real Estate Market! The 2024 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers from the National Association of REALTORS® revealed some record-breaking trends: 53% of all home buyers were age 55 and over. The median age of home buyers rose to 56 years (up from 49 last year). The typical repeat buyer age is now 61 (up from 58). 19% of buyers over 60 purchased senior-related housing, with 58% choosing detached single-family homes and 52% buying in suburbs or subdivisions.

Sellers are getting older too—the typical seller age hit an all-time high of 63! What Does This Mean?As Baby Boomers and Gen Xers continue to age, their housing needs are evolving. Some are looking to downsize, while others are trading up or finding homes that allow them to age in place comfortably. Many are prioritizing accessibility, proximity to family, and the right mix of amenities.

As a certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES), I’m here to help older adults navigate this exciting transition with ease and confidence.

A Growing Segment Serving Healthy, Active Seniors

For many in the Baby Boom generation, retirement is not about settling down and living a life of the routine. They are open to exploring new things, maintaining a social life and enjoying their life savings. Active adult communities— sometimes referred to as 55+ communities—are meeting their dynamic retirement needs, offering amenity-rich environments for seniors seeking an engaged lifestyle rather than traditional retirement.

This market is anticipated to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 4% from now to 2030.

Demographic and sociological factors underlie both the growth of the active adult audience and the complexities of how active adult communities serve them. Active adult communities are categorized as age- restricted or age-targeted. In the former, federal housing rules dictate that at least 80% of residents must be aged 55 and above. The age targeted category is aimed at those 55 and older but doesn’t have strict legal residency requirements.

These communities come in many different sizes, forms and locations. Rental or ownership. Urban or suburban. From stand-alone buildings to city-sized communities. With amenities as varied as on-premises hair salons, pet-washing facilities, heated soaking spas, art studios, golf courses and pickleball courts. Though there are many kinds of active adult communities, as an SRES® Professional, no one is better suited to help a senior find the right home for you.