For many younger buyers, homeownership is starting to feel more attainable—but increasingly, it’s becoming a family effort.

A recent 2026 Planning & Progress Study by Northwestern Mutual, which surveyed more than 4,000 adults, found that 74% of parents with children at home are considering or actively planning to help their kids buy a home someday. In fact, many families now view helping with a home purchase as just as important as helping pay for college.

  • 29% of parents say helping their children buy a home is more important than paying for college.

  • 55% say the two goals are equally important.

This growing trend reflects the reality of today’s housing market, where saving for a down payment can be one of the biggest hurdles for first-time buyers. Financial assistance from family—whether a gift, loan, or help with upfront costs—can make a meaningful difference. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 22% of first-time home buyers used a gift or loan from a friend or relative toward their down payment.

Why Buying Earlier Matters

Even with affordability challenges, younger generations are becoming more optimistic about their chances of owning a home. That optimism may stem from growing awareness of the long-term financial benefits of buying sooner rather than later.

Data from Realtor.com’s Generational Wealth Report shows that households who purchase their first home by age 30 have about 22.5% higher net worth by age 50 compared to those who wait until their 40s. That difference averages about $119,000 in additional wealth.

Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of financial stability in the United States. Buying earlier allows homeowners more time to benefit from property appreciation and mortgage paydown—two key factors that help build long-term wealth.

Growing Confidence Among Younger Buyers

Encouragingly, younger generations are feeling more hopeful about their ability to buy a home.

Among non-homeowners:

  • The share who believe homeownership is financially achievable rose from 33% in 2025 to 42% in 2026.

  • Confidence increased most among Gen Z (42% to 54%) and Millennials (34% to 47%).

Some common barriers may also be easing. Compared to a year ago, fewer young buyers say saving for a down payment, high mortgage rates, or intense competition are the biggest obstacles. For example, the percentage of Americans who say they don’t have enough saved for a down payment dropped from 64% in 2025 to 53% in 2026, with the biggest improvement among Gen Z.

A New Path to the American Dream

While the path to homeownership may look different today than it did for previous generations, the goal remains the same. Many families are recognizing that helping the next generation buy a home can be a powerful way to support long-term financial security.

As younger buyers gain confidence and more families step in to help, homeownership continues to represent what it has for generations: a foundation for stability, opportunity, and generational wealth.