Inside the minds of homeowners: The four things they really want in 2025

In today’s complex real estate market, homeowners are mostly concerned with these four things

Apr 14, 2025

By Dave Steinmetz

In every housing market, every lender, originator, mortgage broker, or loan officer should endeavor to understand their buyer pool.

Trends and perceptions change annually and generationally — especially when it comes to desires, housing market outlook, and financial thresholds. Having insight into how and what they think can go a long way. It can aid in not only attracting qualified borrowers but also ushering them through the transaction and, ultimately, to the closing table. After all, that’s the point, right? 

There is still a healthy appetite for homeownership in the U.S., as findings from the 2025 ServiceLink State of Homebuying Report show that 47% of respondents plan to purchase a home this year. While millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are still poised to heavily influence the market, Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is demonstrating a strong desire to become homeowners. 67% of this group say they plan to buy in 2025. 

Soaring price tags and higher than desired mortgage rates have been a thorn in the side for buyers, as these two factors have prevented many from becoming homeowners in recent years. However, when you look beyond the numbers, there’s more to the story than just sticker shock. A deeper dive into the data reveals both the tangible and the intangible items that today’s buyers want and expect in their mortgage and homeownership journey.  Read More

Read More Great Articles Below:

• Once again, baby boomers make up the largest share of homebuyers 
• Millennial Buyers Prefer Better, Not Bigger Homes 
• Mortgage Rate Stability May Help Ease Buyers’ Concerns