Older homebuyers and repeat purchasers accounted for 78% of residential property transactions covered by the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. The report also found that the median age of home sellers reached 63, while first-time purchasers represented a smaller share of completed home purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The median age of U.S. home sellers reached 63 in 2026, compared with 47 in 2005.
- Repeat buyers accounted for 78% of home purchases covered by the NAR report.
- The median age of repeat homebuyers reached 62, matching its previous record.
- Thirty percent of repeat buyers purchased properties entirely with cash.
- First-time buyers represented 22% of purchases, with a median age of 40.
NAR Reports Record Median Age Among Home Sellers
The National Association of REALTORS® reported that the median age of home sellers in the United States reached 63 in its 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. The figure represents an increase from the median seller age of 47 recorded in 2005.
The report provides demographic information about residential property transactions and identifies differences between first-time purchasers, repeat buyers and sellers. Sellers had a median age of 63, while repeat purchasers had a median age of 62. First-time buyers had a median age of 40.
The seller demographic is relevant to examining the relationship between property ownership and accumulated home equity. Owners who have held their properties for longer periods may have had additional time to build equity through mortgage repayment and changes in property values.
The NAR report also found that homeowners held their properties for a median of 12 years before selling. This ownership period provides context for understanding the financial position of households participating in the resale market.
A longer holding period can affect the amount of equity available when an owner decides to sell. However, individual financial circumstances vary, and the age figures do not establish that every older homeowner has substantial equity.
Repeat Buyers Account for 78% of Residential Purchases
Repeat purchasers accounted for 78% of home purchases recorded in the 2026 NAR report. First-time buyers represented the remaining 22%, establishing a considerable difference between the two groups’ shares of residential transactions.
The median age of repeat buyers reached 62, matching its previous record. This figure identifies the age profile of households purchasing another residential property after an earlier homeownership experience.
Repeat buyers may have proceeds from selling an existing property, accumulated home equity or savings built during an earlier period of ownership. These resources can give some purchasers access to funds that first-time buyers may not have accumulated through property ownership.
The NAR findings also identified differences in how repeat buyers financed their purchases. Thirty percent paid entirely in cash, while their median down payment reached 19%.
The distinction matters when comparing purchasing arrangements between households entering the housing market and those who already own or previously owned residential property. Recent U.S. pending home sales figures provide additional context on buyer activity and residential transactions.
Accumulated Home Equity Supports Larger Down Payments
Home equity represents the difference between a property’s market value and its outstanding mortgage balance. Homeowners can accumulate equity through mortgage principal payments and increases in property value.
The NAR report found that homeowners held their properties for a median of 12 years before selling. This figure provides context for the financial resources that may become available when an existing owner completes a sale.
A homeowner who sells a property can potentially use the proceeds toward another residential purchase. The amount available depends on the property’s sale price, remaining mortgage balance and applicable transaction expenses.
The report’s median down payment of 19% among repeat buyers provides a measurable indication of their purchasing arrangements. The figure represents the median rather than the amount paid by every repeat purchaser.
The 30% cash-purchase share identifies a group of repeat buyers who completed transactions without mortgage financing. For mortgage professionals, these figures provide insight into the different financial circumstances and funding arrangements of repeat purchasers.
First-Time Buyers Represent a Smaller Share of Home Sales
First-time purchasers represented 22% of home purchases covered by the 2026 NAR report. Their median age reached 40, compared with 62 among repeat buyers.
The difference of 22 years between the two median ages identifies distinct demographic groups within the residential property market. First-time buyers enter homeownership without proceeds from a previous residential property sale.
Their available purchasing funds may therefore come from savings, income and other financial resources rather than accumulated home equity from an earlier property.
The median down payment of 19% among repeat buyers provides a comparison point, although it should not be treated as the down-payment figure for first-time purchasers. The reported figures do not establish an equivalent first-time buyer median down payment.
Housing supply also affects the choices available to people entering the market. National starter-home inventory conditions provide additional context on the availability of entry-level residential properties across different regions.
Age Differences Define Distinct Homebuyer Financing Patterns
The NAR report identifies measurable differences between first-time buyers, repeat purchasers and residential property sellers. The median seller age was 63, while repeat buyers had a median age of 62 and first-time buyers had a median age of 40.
Financing statistics provide another distinction. Thirty percent of repeat purchasers paid entirely in cash, while the median down payment among repeat buyers reached 19%. These figures describe different payment arrangements within the repeat buyer group.
A purchaser with proceeds from a previous home sale may have access to funds that are unavailable to someone entering the market for the first time. However, the report does not establish that all repeat buyers use property equity to finance subsequent purchases.
The 12-year median ownership period provides further context for the financial position of homeowners completing sales. The period identifies how long homeowners typically held their properties before selling, although individual ownership periods and financial outcomes vary.
Residential real estate professionals can use the differences in median age, transaction share and financing arrangements to understand the demographic composition of buyers and sellers. The figures distinguish between homeownership experience and the financial resources available for a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median age of home sellers in the United States in 2026?
The median age of U.S. home sellers reached 63 in the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. The corresponding figure was 47 in 2005.
What percentage of U.S. home purchases involve repeat buyers?
Repeat buyers accounted for 78% of home purchases covered by the 2026 NAR report. First-time buyers represented the remaining 22%.
What is the median age of first-time homebuyers in 2026?
The median age of first-time homebuyers reached 40 in the report. Repeat purchasers had a median age of 62.
How much do repeat homebuyers typically put down on a home?
The median down payment among repeat homebuyers was 19%. This figure represents the median for the group rather than the amount paid by every repeat purchaser.
What percentage of repeat homebuyers purchase homes with cash?
Thirty percent of repeat buyers paid entirely in cash, according to the NAR report. These transactions did not require mortgage financing for the property purchase.
