40+ Housing and Real Estate Statistics for 2025

The business of real estate is always changing.

There are a lot of moving parts that influence the real estate industry. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, renter, or agent, fluctuations in the market can have a big impact on your business or lifestyle.

With a number of external factors, like economic conditions, affecting the real estate industry, learning more about real estate statistics will help you understand the property landscape and make better buyer decisions. Real estate marketing software can also help real estate agents and clients connect. 

The industry is pretty complicated, with many different real estate terms, types of real estate, and people that make up each sector. We’ve divided the following stats into relevant sections to keep things as simple as possible.

Residential real estate statistics

Most people think of residential real estate when they hear the term. It refers to the types of properties that people live on—those that are not intended to be used for anything business-related. This includes single—and multi-family homes, as well as condos and townhouses.

• The National Association of Realtors predicts 4.71 million existing home sales in 2024.
• The US homeownership in 2024 was higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic at 65.6% compared to 64.6% in 2019.
• Romania has the highest global homeownership rate, largely due to historical factors and housing affordability. 

• The homeownership rate stood at 65.6%, showing no significant change from 66.0% in Q3 2023 and remaining consistent with Q2 2024's rate of 65.6%.
• Homeownership rates rose 2% among individuals under the age of 35 and between the ages 35 and 44, except that the rate inched up by 0.5% among those ages 65 and over.

• The homeownership rate in the Midwest hit 70%, the highest of all regions.
• The South had the second-highest homeownership rate at 67.3%.
• The Northeast homeownership rate is 62.5%, while the West is 61.4%. 
• Redfin said the U.S. median home price was $412,000 in September 2023. That’s an increase of 2% over last year, even though there were more than 300,000 fewer homes on the market. 

Home buyer statistics

Buying a home is no small feat, especially given the current economic situation. Below, you’ll find a few statistics specific to home buyers.

• San Francisco was the most expensive metro area for home buyers in 2023.
• The average down payment on a house for a first-time buyer is 8%.
• The typical or average age of a first-time home buyer is 35. 
• According to data from November 2023, the average home buyer would need approximately 8.7 years to save for a competitive down payment.
• About half of the home buyers search for less than three months, but 13% shop for seven months to an year, according to Zillow Research. 
• 13% of home buyers purchased brand-new homes, while 87% of home buyers purchased previously lived-in homes. 
• 80% of homebuyers financed their purchase, with the percentage declining as buyer age increases. 
• The median household income of first-time home buyers is $97,000. 

Selling statistics

Selling a home can be just as big of a hurdle as buying one. From getting a property listed to setting up the open house, finding qualified buyers is a feat in and of itself. Here are some selling statistics.

• The best day to list a home is Thursday. Mondays are typically the worst day to list a home. 
• On average, 98% of final sale prices matched the original asking price of a property. 
• 73% sellers would use the same real estate agent again.

• This year, the median number of days a property was on the market before an offer was accepted is 40.

Rental statistics

Not everyone can afford a home – that’s where renting comes in. Many residential properties are offered as rental units to tenants for non-commercial purposes.

• San Francisco is the most expensive place to rent globally. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is USD 3,500. 
• Henderson, NV, and Phoenix, AZ, saw the fastest rent growth in the US, with increases of 4.5% and 4.1%, respectively.
• Rental growth seems to have slowed after major spikes in 2021, but the rental prices are now 29.4% higher than before the pandemic. 
• November 2023 saw the most significant year-over-year decline in the median asking rent since 2020, with a notable 2% decrease. 

Real estate agent statistics

A real estate agent or broker is a professional licensed to sell property in their state. The business of buying and selling properties can be incredibly lucrative but doesn’t come without its difficulties. Here are some real estate agent statistics. 

• 65% of realtors were licensed sales agents. 
• 22% of realtors hold broker licenses.
• 17% of realtors hold broker associate licenses. 
• 65% of all realtors are female.
• Most realtors worked 35 hours/week in 2023.
• The median gross income of realtors, or the income earned from real estate-related activities, was $55,800 last year, decreasing from $56,400 in 2022.

Commercial real estate statistics

Commercial real estate refers to non-residential property that serves to generate income. This includes shopping malls, hotels, and office spaces.

• The total dollar volume of commercial real estate transactions was $647 billion in 2023, down from $1.14 trillion in 2022.
• In Q1 2023, the retail sector vacancy rate flatlined at 10.3% over the previous four quarters.  

• The decline in commercial real estate revenue includes a 0.4% drop in 2023 alone.
• The highest construction cost for shopping center facilities was $473 in New York, as of late 2022 or early 2023. 
  

Still on the fence? 

We can’t predict the future—especially not in real estate. As buyer preferences evolve, market trends will come and go. One thing is for sure: the need for property isn’t going away anytime soon. Everyone will likely encounter the real estate industry at some point, whether it's an individual, family, or business.

Before making your next big real estate purchase, learn more about escrow.