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NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsSeptember 1, 2026Hillsborough

Baby boomers increasingly retain or purchase large homes, impacting housing market inventory

Baby boomers are increasingly choosing to stay in or purchase large homes rather than downsizing, a trend that is reducing the availability of larger properties for younger families. This shift is driven by factors including paid-off mortgages, high replacement costs for new housing, and the rise of multi-generational living arrangements.

housing marketbaby boomersreal estatemulti-generational livinghousing inventory
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Why It Matters

The trend of baby boomers holding onto large homes limits the of three-bedroom-plus houses, which increases competition and financial pressure on younger families attempting to enter the housing market.

Key Facts

  • Baby boomers currently represent the largest group of homebuyers in the United States.
  • Baby boomers in one- or two-person households own 28% of all three-bedroom-plus homes in the U.S.
  • Millennial families with children own 16% of three-bedroom-plus homes.
  • The anticipated 'silver tsunami' of boomers selling homes and downsizing has not materialized as predicted, occurring instead as a smaller trickle.
  • Factors keeping boomers in large homes include having paid-off mortgages and high costs associated with purchasing new, smaller properties.
  • Multi-generational living, specifically adult children living at home longer, is a contributing factor to boomers retaining large homes.

Who's Mentioned

personHannah Jones“Senior economist with Realtor.com”organizationRealtor.com“Source of housing market analysis”organizationRedfin“Source of housing ownership data”personMary Anne Stro“Individual who chose to downsize to a retirement community”