More Prospective Buyers are First-Timers
The share of prospective buyers who are purchasing a home for the first time increased for a fourth consecutive quarter, up to 65% in the third quarter of 2021, according to results from NAHB’s Housing Trends Report. A year earlier, the share was 56%.
Moreover, more than 60% of prospective buyers in every region of the nation are first-timers. In the third quarter of 2021, a record 69% of buyers in the Midwest are purchasing for the first time, along with 65% of those in the Northeast and South, and 61% in the West.
Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president for survey research, provides more insight in this post from Eye on Housing.
Latest from NAHBNow
Student Chapters | Workforce Development
Jul 25, 2025
NAHB's Student Chapters Helped Give Her Confidence to Pivot CareersZhetique Gunn's early exposure to building and problem-solving has led to national recognition and a city-level impact as an urban planner in Washington, D.C.
Jul 24, 2025
Federal Court Upholds New York State Gas BanThe federal court for the Northern District of New York on July 23 upheld New York state’s “gas ban” legislation. New York’s legislation is the first statewide law that restricts natural gas use in new buildings, effectively banning gas stoves and other fossil fuel appliances in most new construction starting in 2026.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jul 25, 2025
Market Share of 5,000+ Square Foot New Homes Started Declines in 2024In 2024, there were 24,000 homes that exceeded 5,000 square feet, equating to a 2.3% market share of all new homes started. Both the number and market share for 5,000+ square foot homes experienced declines from 2023, according to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC).
Economics
Jul 24, 2025
New Home Sales Hold Steady at a Relatively Tepid LevelChallenging affordability conditions, elevated interest rates and economic uncertainty continue to act as headwinds on the housing sector as many potential buyers continue to stay on the sidelines.
Economics
Jul 23, 2025
Existing Home Sales Retreat to 9-Month LowExisting home sales fell to 9-month low in June as home prices hit another monthly record high, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Sluggish pace of sales suggest that higher mortgage rates and elevated home prices are continuing to sideline buyers, despite improved inventory conditions.