BiggerPockets Daily What is the Silver Tsunami?
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Nov 28, 2025 The discussion dives into the staggering $19 trillion in real estate owned by baby boomers, highlighting their dominant market position. It contrasts 'silver tsunami' predictions with slower shifts, exploring how inventory and pricing may evolve. Personal anecdotes illustrate varied outcomes of boomer home sales, revealing generational benefits. With Gen Z poised to capitalize on opportunities, strategies for investors focus on adapting to their preferences. The conversation emphasizes a gradual market transition, with Gen Z ready to reshape the landscape.
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Boomers Dominate U.S. Housing Wealth
- Baby boomers hold roughly $19 trillion and own 41.6% of U.S. real estate, far more than younger generations.
- Their large ownership share foreshadows a major generational shift in housing supply and demand over coming decades.
Tsunami Versus Glacier: Pace Matters
- Some forecast a "silver tsunami" of boomer homes flooding the market while others predict a slow, manageable shift.
- Models differ: Zillow projects ~1M homes/yr over 20 years, while one economist forecasts ~250k excess homes/yr through 2032.
Why Many Homes Won't Immediately Sell
- Not all boomer homes will flood the market because aging is gradual and many homes convert to rentals or transfer to family.
- Location, condition, and heirs' choices will limit how many properties immediately list for sale.