Intro

Gen Z is entering the housing market and encountering challenges both familiar and unfamiliar to previous generations. - High mortgage rates and home prices are forcing many to explore alternative markets and creative strategies like house hacking. - Tech tools and digital platforms are central to how Gen Z researches, finances, and navigates homebuying decisions. - This generation is redefining ownership to embrace shared purchases, multi-use properties, and nontraditional paths to affordability. In this episode of Beyond the Buildings, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith and Cotality economist Molly Boesel explore the trends shaping Gen Z’s path to property ownership — what’s driving them, what’s holding them back, and how their creativity is changing the landscape of housing for everyone. In this episode: 2:00 – How big of a presence is Gen Z in the housing market? Are they having an easier or more difficult time buying homes than previous generations? 3:29 – What sort of homes are Gen Z buyers looking for? 6:14 – Are Gen Z buyers spending more than the recommended amount when they purchase homes? Is homeownership out of reach for much of this generation? 10:49 – Erika Stanley looks at the numbers in the housing market in The Sip. 11:57 – Is house hacking a possible path to homeownership for this generation? 15:12 – How are affordability issues propelling Gen Z buyers to look into creative financing options? 18:00 – Is AI changing how Gen Z buyers shop for homes?