Millennials: Do You Need a Home with More Space?

Holding a baby in the bedroom

If you’re a millennial, homebuying might be top of mind for you. Your generation is the largest group of homebuyers in the market today and has been since 2014, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And while other millennials are looking to buy for the first time, you may be one of the many who are now discovering you’ve outgrown your home.

If that’s the case, you’re not alone. The past two years brought about significant changes for many people, and today, homeowners are reevaluating what they truly need in a home. As a recent report from the Wall Street Journal states:

“They say the pandemic and the emergence of remote work accelerated millennial home-buying trends already under way. . . . Millennials who already owned homes traded up for more space.”

So, if you’re working remotely now or simply have a growing need for additional space, it may be time to move. And even if you purchased your current home sometime over the last few years, you can still move into a different one that has the space and features you’re looking for. That’s because there’s a good chance you have more equity than you realize. As Diana Olick, Real Estate Correspondent for CNBCnotes:

The stunning jump in home values over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic has given U.S. homeowners record amounts of housing wealth. . . . Even homeowners who weren’t listing their properties for sale were gaining equity. About 42% of homeowners were considered equity-rich at the end of last year, meaning their mortgages were half or less than half the value of their home.”

Growing equity can be the key you need to fuel your next move, especially if you’re looking to purchase a larger home. When you sell your current house, the equity that comes back to you in the sale can be used toward the down payment on your next home.

In other words, your purchasing power may be greater than you realize, making a move to a larger home a realistic option. That, plus your changing needs, might make moving now more desirable than ever.

Bottom Line

If you’re a millennial thinking about moving this year, you’re not alone. Let’s connect today to discuss the equity you have in your current home and the opportunities it can create.

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About the Author
Richard Wamsat
Richard Wamsat is a Broker Associate and REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Realty in Irvine, California (CalDRE #01345167). Since 2002, Richard has represented clients throughout California in all price ranges, from first time homebuyers purchasing their first condo to seasoned investors buying and selling higher end properties. His current focus is on helping buyers and sellers in Orange County.

Richard bought his first home at nineteen and has worked in both Northern and Southern California markets, including the difficult years of the Great Recession when he negotiated with banks to help homeowners avoid foreclosure or get relief from underwater mortgages. That experience, combined with hundreds of successful closings since, gives his clients a practical understanding of how deals really get done in changing markets.

Committed to professional negotiation, Richard earned the Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE) designation from the Real Estate Negotiation Institute, a member of the Harvard Program on Negotiation, along with additional credentials such as CNE, AHWD, CDPE, and SFR. Fewer than one percent of agents nationwide have achieved the MCNE designation, and Richard uses that training to structure offers, counteroffers, and terms that protect his clients’ interests without overpromising or relying on gimmicks.

Richard lives in Irvine with his wife, Brandy, and their fluffy white dog, Murphy. When you hire him, you get a calm, data driven advisor who takes the time to explain your options, walk you through the numbers, and help you make confident decisions about buying or selling a home in Orange County.