WASHINGTON – Aug. 14, 2018 – The trend of slow-to-launch millennials staying at home with mom and dad has led to about 2.4 million fewer households forming, according to a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) analysis. A rise in housing costs and personal debt are the chief factors keeping millennials at home, economists say.

The study looked at the number of younger adults, ages 25-34, who qualify for head-of-household status. The number of young adults living with their parents or others increased from 15.3 percent in 2000 to 26.3 percent in 2016, according to NAHB, with Florida one of the top five states for young adults slow to leave the nest.

“This story is quite different in different states,” says Natalia Siniavskaia, assistant vice president for housing policy research at the NAHB. “There are states where headship rates (the percentage that qualify for head-of-household status) for this age group are north of 50 percent, such as North Dakota and Iowa. And there are states like California and Florida where young adults are much more likely to live with parents.”

States with the priciest housing costs tend to have the lowest number of households headed by 25- to-34-year-olds. The five worst states for young adult household formations are, in order, Hawaii, New Jersey, California, Florida and Alaska.

On the other hand, the states that have more affordable housing tend to have higher rates of young adult household formation. The five states that have some of the best homeownership rates among millennials are North Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.

The majority of Americans recently surveyed say they believe 28 is the ideal age for purchasing a first home, according to a recent Bankrate survey.

“As the economic situation continues to improve, it should give more stability and confidence to younger adults to buy their homes or leave parental homes,” Siniavskaia says.

Census data may already be starting to show a change: The homeownership rate for younger adults has increased in the last year from 34.5 percent to 35.3 percent, according to federal data.

Source: “Millennials Still Crashing With Parents in Strong Economy and it Reveals Their Ambition,” Bankrate.com (Aug. 7, 2018)

© Copyright 2018 INFORMATION INC., Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Source: Florida Realtors

MILLENNIALS: We are here to help you through this transition. Are you ready to make the move out of your parents’ place and purchase your very own home? Do not wait!! Mortgage rates are on the rise along with property prices. Do not miss your opportunity. Contact one of our experienced agents today to get the ball rolling!