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.
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%
About the report
The 2026 NextGen Homebuyer Report, conducted in partnership with National MI, is available as both a comprehensive written report and presentation slides. This sixth annual edition offers the deepest look yet into how Gen Z and Millennials think about homeownership, and why so many are walking away from the process before they even start.
Led by Kristin Messerli, the 2026 report analyzes responses from 1,000 participants aged 18 to 44, capturing their financial realities, homeownership beliefs, trust in the housing system, and evolving relationship with AI. For the first time, the survey includes a validated trust battery, providing the most rigorous measurement of buyer trust and emotional experience to date.
Key insights
- The system is the problem6 in 10 NextGen buyers expect the housing system to work against them. Only 1 in 8 are not worried about being taken advantage of by a housing professional.
- Overwhelm is driving disengagement63% feel overwhelmed by the volume of homebuying information, 42% put off talking to professionals, and 37% avoid thinking about homebuying entirely. Not because they don't care, but because the process feels paralyzing.
- AI is catching up to humans50% of NextGen buyers trust AI and human professionals about equally, or trust AI more, when it comes to creating a personalized homebuying plan. ChatGPT leads at 45% market share.
- The dream is alive, but confidence has collapsed8 in 10 say homeownership is essential to “making it,” yet belief that it's a good investment dropped from 88% in 2021 to just 41% in 2026, a 47-point decline.
- Experience nearly doubles trustOnly 25% of non-owners believe a professional would recommend what's best for them. After buying, that jumps to 48%. The first interaction is everything.
Method
Survey of 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 to 44, fielded January 2026, with representation across race, income, and gender.