How Old is the Average First-Time Homebuyer?

how old is first time homebuyer - best home insurance in harrisburg pa - the kind insurance

At some point in our lives, we all want to buy a house because it is one of life’s most common milestones. Of course, achieving such a goal may not be easy for everyone because it requires a lot of money and takes years to save. 

The situation has become harder for younger people because it takes a while for them to reach a place where they are financially stable to purchase a home. Therefore, it’s no surprise to see that the age of a first-time homebuyer has increased over the years. 

At the same time, many are cautiously looking to buy a house while also searching for optimal home insurance policies to protect their property’s value. So, you may wonder, does age affect your home insurance rates? 

The Age of a First-Time Homebuyer

Most sources state that the first-time homebuyer is 33 years old on average, which has stayed mostly constant over the years. On the other hand, the average age of recurrent buyers has been rising in recent years. The average age of repeat house buyers rose to 56 in 2021, a record high.

The average age has risen throughout the years. It peaked at 29 in the 1980s and kept rising until recently. The growing cost of housing, and the fact that young adults have a range of additional financial responsibilities relating to college expenses, getting married, and starting a family well into their 30s are just a few of the probable explanations for this.

Investing in real estate and creating a passive income are two main reasons why first-time homebuyers buy properties. Investing in real estate is a common way to build wealth; typically, rental assets are bought to produce cash flow. 

Purchasing a property makes sense if many variables work in your favor, such as not having much debt, getting a decent credit score, having a steady job with a reasonable salary, and having set up a savings account for emergencies.

Why is The First-time Buyer Getting Older?

In 2021, the young first-time homebuyer appeared to have a chance. The pandemic led many to save more money for a down payment. Rents increased along with housing values, and borrowing money became affordable due to historically low mortgage rates. The quickest rate of house ownership among millennials was recorded in 2021. 2022 was a completely different situation. By the middle of 2022, just 26% of homes were acquired by first-time buyers, the lowest percentage in at least 40 years.

Excessive Demand for Smaller Houses

The supply of properties for sale is also limited because of high mortgage rates in 2022. After purchasing a new property, homebuyers are more likely to settle there for good, meaning that the mortgage rate will go even higher.

The rising price of their previous property is good financial support for homeowners who decide to relocate. Yet, rising prices make it more difficult for a first-time homebuyer to buy houses in the mid-to-low ranges because the demand will be too much for such properties.  

Rising Property Price in Youthful Cities

Younger cities are seeing strong population expansion and house price increases. The average age of first-time home purchasers increased because many property developers turned their attention following the Great Recession to higher-end, more pricey properties, leaving fewer affordable options on the market.

Student Debt

Student loan debt is another obstacle for young people who want to become homeowners because it has severely restricted their ability to purchase their first house. It is challenging to buy a home when you have a lot of debt, such as student loans, which affects the debt-to-income ratio that financial institutions use to approve applicants.

Credit Score & Home Insurance Premiums

Since people with strong credit scores file fewer insurance claims, having a solid credit record can lower the home insurance rate. The grading mechanism takes into account a person’s current financial situation and credit history. Buyers with strong credit will pay less for insurance. It’s crucial to be aware that credit history and score checks are included in the report. Your credit score won’t be impacted by an insurance-related credit check, though.

What Can Affect Your Insurance Rate?

Insurance companies may consider a number of variables when determining your risk profile as a homeowner. Simply put, a risk profile describes your likelihood of experiencing a covered threat and submitting a claim. Your home insurance premiums will probably go up if an insurer believes that you reside in a neighborhood where the likelihood of a claim is higher. Your rate might be impacted by the cost aspects listed below:

Location

The amount you spend on house insurance rates can depend on the property’s location. You might get a higher rate if your home is situated in a neighborhood with a history of risks like vandalism, robbery, or bad weather. Location, nevertheless, could also be helpful, like living close to a fire station. The renovation cost of your house may also depend on the location as building expenses, especially labor, and materials can vary by area.

Credit history

Insurance companies may utilize an owner’s credit-based policy score as a rating element when determining the degree of risk they are assuming. A better score may make a person look to be a smaller risk, dropping the insurance rate for them. Insurance agencies usually calculate your chance of making on-time premium payments by looking at your credit records.

Marital status

Marital status can affect the insurance premiums for the first-time homebuyer and also those who’ve bought properties before. Due to the presumed small risk, insurance companies often charge married couples lower premiums.

Age of home

You’ll probably have to pay more for home insurance if your house is older. You might want to think about including ordinance in your policy because older properties might need renovations and upgrades based on the latest laws. This coverage also includes bringing the house into compliance with any new laws or regulations that have been passed after it was built or last renovated.

Home Insurance in Harrisburg, PA

Overall, everyone’s situation is different. The most important thing is to be financially stable when you decide to buy your first home. Stability is vital when buying a home because you have to consider the mortgage rate, unforeseen repairs, and other related expenses.

Home insurance is also a non-negotiable part of buying any property because you need to secure the value of your house. Of course, with such a wide range of agencies on the market, you need to find a comprehensive policy while getting competitive rates. Luckily, that’s exactly what we offer at The Kind Insurance. We offer a wide range of personal and business insurance policies to guarantee your safety and comfort. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our insurance programs!

Looking for life insurance?

Get coverage in under 10-minutes. No medical exam required.

Call Now Button