The Voice of NextGen Homeownership
How the next generation actually thinks about money.
Six years of research into what Gen Z and Millennials believe about homeownership, who they trust, and why so many stop before they start. Built to help companies connect with their customers in an era of distrust.
10,000+ consumers surveyed since 2020. Studies with National MI, FirstHome IQ, and the Mortgage Bankers Association. Cited by Bankrate and the Washington Post.
Newest research
2026 NextGen Homebuyer Report
Our sixth annual read on how Gen Z and Millennials think about homeownership, and why so many walk away before they start. Free to download and cite.
Sixth annual report
6 in 10 expect the housing system to work against them.
- 63%
- feel overwhelmed by homebuying information
- 50%
- trust AI as much as a person, or more
- 41%
- still call a home a good investment, down from 88%
The research library
See all 13 studiesSixth annual report
6 in 10 expect the housing system to work against them.
2026 NextGen Homebuyer Report
The sixth annual report on trust, overwhelm, and why so many Gen Z and Millennial buyers walk away before they start.
Financial literacy edition
Only 8% know the real minimum down payment.
2025 Financial Literacy Edition
Financial knowledge, psychological barriers, and where NextGen buyers actually go for answers when school never taught them.
Fifth annual report
Trust in loan officers fell to 19.5% in a single year.
2025 NextGen Homebuyer Report
Trust in financial institutions falls off a cliff while YouTube, social media, and AI become the default homebuying classroom.
Psychology of money
Only 29% feel confident managing their own finances.
2024 Psychology of Money
A study measuring psychological influences and behavioral approaches to money, and the first money personality work behind the quiz.
Fourth annual report
1 in 2 are not confident in what they know about buying a home.
2024 NextGen Homebuyer Report
Survey of 1,000 Millennial and Gen Z homebuyers tracking personal finance, homebuying behavior, and the challenges facing the next generation.
Gen Z edition
Only 14% of Gen Z have the financial support they need.
2023 Gen Z Homebuyer Report
2023 data on Gen Z homebuyers, elevating their voice to improve access to sustainable homeownership and financial wellness.
New
What’s your money type?
Sixteen questions about how you actually think about money. Real research, not a horoscope. Free, and it takes about three minutes.
Questions
Who runs this research?
Kristin Messerli, researcher, author, and speaker. She has produced the NextGen Homebuyer Reports since 2020, in partnership with sponsors including National MI and Fidelity National Title.
Can I cite the reports?
Yes. Every report in the archive is free to download and cite with attribution to NextGen Research. Journalists at Bankrate and the Washington Post have done exactly that.
How does this connect to FirstHome IQ?
We are the research partner for FirstHome IQ, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit closing the homeownership education gap, and this research is led by its executive director. If what you need is the education itself, courses, tools, and free resources for first-time buyers and the professionals who serve them, that all lives at firsthomeiq.com.
How do I book Kristin to speak?
Speaking is handled at kristinmesserli.com. She presents the newest data from these studies to lenders, agents, and industry audiences.