New Survey from Zolo Shows That Homebuyers May Have Hit Pause But Still Intend to Buy Property This Year
Almost half (47%) of homebuyers still plan on buying a home in the next five years and more than half (52%) want online and virtual tools to do their house-hunt.
Toronto, Canada, May 18, 2020 --(PR.com)-- The coronavirus pandemic dampened the spring homebuying season but, despite a drop in sales activity, it appears buyers still intend to purchase homes this year and into the near future.
A recent survey by Zolo shows that even with higher unemployment and uncertain business conditions, buyers still intend to find the dream of their homes.
According to the survey, which polled over 2,100 North American households between April 15 to 17, 2020, respondents reported no significant change in their plans to buy a home with 47% planning on buying within the next five years, and another 16% planning to purchase this year.
Buyers are interested in purchasing this year because they see an opportunity to get into a home at a discounted price, with many expecting a 5% to 10% drop in purchase price.
>>Millennials appear most optimistic
Of the more than 2,100 respondents, more than 51% were millennials (between the ages of 25 and 39). These respondents appear most optimistic about the purchase of a home, with 30% planning on buying a home in two to three years (16% plan on buying in 2020).
Prior to the pandemic, 59% of millennials were saving for a home, and 51% of Gen X buyers were saving for a property purchase. After the economic setbacks brought on by COVID-19, 53% of millennials continue to save for a down payment on a home, while only 39% of Gen X buyers continue to sock away cash for a down payment.
Still, the near-future holds a number of obstacles for millennial homebuyers. According to survey respondents, the biggest obstacle for millennials buying a home was the need for a larger down payment (33%) followed by the possibility of losing their job (29%).
>>Gen X Buyers Still Want Stability
While Gen X Buyers (those aged 34 to 54) appear to be putting their home-buying dreams on hold, they appear to be less concerned about the stability of their employment. According to respondents, the largest obstacle to purchasing a home was not having a large enough down payment (42%), while the inability to qualify for a mortgage (30%) was the next big hurdle.
>>Online home buying experience
Prior to the pandemic, a few tech-savvy real estate brokerages, such as Zolo, were already making the transition to a mobile-friendly home-shopping experience. This emphasis on virtual and online experiences throughout the process of buying and selling a home was made all the more acute as soon as social-distancing and self-isolation became a requirement in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Turns out, buyers were waiting for this nudge into the virtual world, with 52% of the respondents reporting that they would “prefer to complete the entire home buying process using only online tools.”
*50% of Gen Z (aged 18 to 24) buyers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
*53% of Millennial buyers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
*53% of Gen X buyers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
*49% of Baby Boomers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
When searching for a new home, buyers still overwhelmingly preferred the option of working with a Realtor (48%) and many still wanted to attend an open house (35%); however, 38% would use a mobile app, 34% would use virtual tours or pre-schedule video walkthroughs of the property and another 10% wanted access to professional square-footage floor plans (multiple responses allowed).
“There’s no doubt, the real estate market came to a standstill because of COVID-19 and the resulting economic impact,” says Romana King, director of content at Zolo, and an award-winning columnist and real estate expert. “But it doesn’t appear as if buyers have soured on the idea of homeownership. For many homeownership is still the cornerstone of financial stability.”
It will take a few more months for market data to provide a clearer picture of COVID-19’s impact on home prices - and in that time market stakeholders could find their feet in this technologically-driven world.
>>Survey results
The findings of the Zolo Homebuyers Intentions Survey are based on an online survey conducted by Zolo.ca between April 15 to 17, 2020, of 2,128 respondents who live in North America. The estimated margin of error is +/- 2.12 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Zolo
Zolo is the leading independent real estate marketplace in Canada. Each month, more than 9 million buyers and sellers start their real estate search using Zolo. As a tech-disruptor and largest national brokerage, Zolo provides users with the data and resources needed to make better-informed property decisions.
www.zolo.ca
About Romana King
Romana King is an award-winning personal finance writer and real estate expert.
A recent survey by Zolo shows that even with higher unemployment and uncertain business conditions, buyers still intend to find the dream of their homes.
According to the survey, which polled over 2,100 North American households between April 15 to 17, 2020, respondents reported no significant change in their plans to buy a home with 47% planning on buying within the next five years, and another 16% planning to purchase this year.
Buyers are interested in purchasing this year because they see an opportunity to get into a home at a discounted price, with many expecting a 5% to 10% drop in purchase price.
>>Millennials appear most optimistic
Of the more than 2,100 respondents, more than 51% were millennials (between the ages of 25 and 39). These respondents appear most optimistic about the purchase of a home, with 30% planning on buying a home in two to three years (16% plan on buying in 2020).
Prior to the pandemic, 59% of millennials were saving for a home, and 51% of Gen X buyers were saving for a property purchase. After the economic setbacks brought on by COVID-19, 53% of millennials continue to save for a down payment on a home, while only 39% of Gen X buyers continue to sock away cash for a down payment.
Still, the near-future holds a number of obstacles for millennial homebuyers. According to survey respondents, the biggest obstacle for millennials buying a home was the need for a larger down payment (33%) followed by the possibility of losing their job (29%).
>>Gen X Buyers Still Want Stability
While Gen X Buyers (those aged 34 to 54) appear to be putting their home-buying dreams on hold, they appear to be less concerned about the stability of their employment. According to respondents, the largest obstacle to purchasing a home was not having a large enough down payment (42%), while the inability to qualify for a mortgage (30%) was the next big hurdle.
>>Online home buying experience
Prior to the pandemic, a few tech-savvy real estate brokerages, such as Zolo, were already making the transition to a mobile-friendly home-shopping experience. This emphasis on virtual and online experiences throughout the process of buying and selling a home was made all the more acute as soon as social-distancing and self-isolation became a requirement in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Turns out, buyers were waiting for this nudge into the virtual world, with 52% of the respondents reporting that they would “prefer to complete the entire home buying process using only online tools.”
*50% of Gen Z (aged 18 to 24) buyers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
*53% of Millennial buyers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
*53% of Gen X buyers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
*49% of Baby Boomers would prefer an entirely online home buying experience
When searching for a new home, buyers still overwhelmingly preferred the option of working with a Realtor (48%) and many still wanted to attend an open house (35%); however, 38% would use a mobile app, 34% would use virtual tours or pre-schedule video walkthroughs of the property and another 10% wanted access to professional square-footage floor plans (multiple responses allowed).
“There’s no doubt, the real estate market came to a standstill because of COVID-19 and the resulting economic impact,” says Romana King, director of content at Zolo, and an award-winning columnist and real estate expert. “But it doesn’t appear as if buyers have soured on the idea of homeownership. For many homeownership is still the cornerstone of financial stability.”
It will take a few more months for market data to provide a clearer picture of COVID-19’s impact on home prices - and in that time market stakeholders could find their feet in this technologically-driven world.
>>Survey results
The findings of the Zolo Homebuyers Intentions Survey are based on an online survey conducted by Zolo.ca between April 15 to 17, 2020, of 2,128 respondents who live in North America. The estimated margin of error is +/- 2.12 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Zolo
Zolo is the leading independent real estate marketplace in Canada. Each month, more than 9 million buyers and sellers start their real estate search using Zolo. As a tech-disruptor and largest national brokerage, Zolo provides users with the data and resources needed to make better-informed property decisions.
www.zolo.ca
About Romana King
Romana King is an award-winning personal finance writer and real estate expert.
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www.zolo.ca
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416-895-5407
www.zolo.ca
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