Gen Z Isn’t Giving Up on Homeownership — They’re Getting Smarter About It

Neil Caron
Oct 21
2 min read

October 2025 | First-Time Buyer Trends | Presented by ReadySetLoan™️

What’s Going On

Despite some of the toughest affordability pressures in decades, next-up buyers born between 1997 and 2012 aren’t walking away from the dream of owning a home. According to recent data, they’re simply adapting.

Key findings:

Many Gen Zers list career advancement as their first milestone, ahead of buying a home, getting married, or having children.
About 51% say they’re “highly concerned” about housing affordability, yet roughly 75% have already started saving for a down payment or are working a side job to accelerate it.
Rather than buying to rent or invest, relatively few Gen Zers are entering the investment-property game; nearly 90% are focused on homeownership as a personal goal.

Why This Matters for Connecticut

In a state like Connecticut — where median home prices, insurance, and taxes remain above national averages — these shifts matter.

Buyers: For younger buyers in CT, the strategy is changing: longer savings timelines, side-income moves, and realistic expectations around size and location of first homes.
Sellers & Agents: This new buyer cohort may look different, want guidance earlier, and move slower — but when they do buy, they’re often more prepared and focused.
Market Implications: As Gen Z enters the market with clearer tactics, the first-time buyer segment could become a more stable driver of demand in CT’s tight housing landscape.

🐷 RSL Piggy Points

Gen Z aims for homeownership, but with smart strategies — saving early, working side hustles, and setting realistic budgets.
Major shift: only a small portion of Gen Z is buying homes as investments — personal residence is priority.
Housing affordability anxiety is high, but so is action: many are actively planning, not quitting.
Connecticut’s unique cost structure means preparation and strategy matter more than ever for younger buyers.

Neil’s Take 🎤

“Too often we hear that younger buyers have given up,” says Neil Caron, Area Sales Manager at CMG Mortgage. “What this data shows is the opposite: Gen Z is adjusting the playbook. For Connecticut buyers, that means building foundations earlier, and moving in when the fit and finances align.”

RSL Perspective

At ReadySetLoan™️, we believe homeownership is a long game. For younger buyers especially, it’s not about rushing—it's about preparing. Whether that means saving more, exploring creative income streams, or narrowing home goals, the path to your first home matters just as much as the home itself.

🐽 Final Snout-Out

Gen Z isn’t walking away from the housing ladder — they’re climbing it differently. For Connecticut markets, that shift means first-time buyers are more strategic and focused than ever before.

🏁 Final Lap

If you’re a young buyer in Connecticut, the advantage lies in preparedness: savings, side income, realistic expectations. If you’re a seller or agent, expect motivated first-timers who may show up later — but ready. With ReadySetLoan™️ by your side, every step toward homeownership is intentional, strategic, and confidently mapped.