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Why Gen Z is ditching the ‘Boomer’ way of buying homes & insurance

 

In an age where artificial intelligence can guide investment decisions and Americans can house hunt from the couch, it might be eye-raising to learn that consumers (well, most of them) actually want to work with humans when they make major life purchases.

 

recent survey by Agentero, a platform for independent insurance agents based in Oakland, California, finds that 72% of consumers have worked with a real estate agent, 64% have worked with an insurance agent and 40% have worked with a financial services professional.

 

And more than 3 in 4 consumers who’ve worked with these agents or professionals would be repeat customers, though Gen Zers (ages 18 to 24) are the hardest to convince.

Gen Zers least likely to use agents, professionals in future

Whether it’s a real estate agent, insurance agent or financial services pro, Gen Zers are least inclined to work with them again. (Notably, they already have low percentages of people who have used them in the first place: 50%, 43% and 32%, respectively, for each type of agent.)

 

On the flip side, millennials (ages 25 to 40) are the most likely to lean on real estate agents and financial services pros again in the future. Meanwhile, baby boomers (ages 57 to 75) are most likely to be found flipping through their Rolodexes to give their insurance agent repeat business.

 

Interestingly, a higher percentage of consumers would have a second go-round with real estate agents should the need arise.

Real estate agent:

  • Overall: 75% of consumers would use a real estate agent again in the future
  • Baby boomers: 75%
  • Gen Xers (ages 41 to 56): 75%
  • Millennials: 80%
  • Gen Zers: 71%

Insurance agent:

  • Overall: 65% report they would use one again
  • Baby boomers: 72%
  • Gen Xers: 70%
  • Millennials: 64%
  • Gen Zers: 54%

Financial services professional:

  • Overall: 58% report they would use one again
  • Baby boomers: 55%
  • Gen Xers: 58%
  • Millennials: 60%
  • Gen Zers: 57%

If you’re looking to find the best real estate agent near you, a good one could help you narrow your search and smoothen the process.

Agent, are you listening?

It makes sense that people working with a professional on major purchases or general life planning would want someone who listens in their corner — and overall, baby boomers, Gen Xers and millennials feel that their agents and professionals do listen. Gen Zers? Not so much.

 

Here’s the generational breakdown of whether consumers feel their intermediaries usually or always understand their needs:

Real estate agent:

  • Baby boomers: 75%
  • Gen Xers: 75%
  • Millennials: 72%
  • Gen Zers: 55%

Insurance agent:

  • Baby boomers: 85%
  • Gen Xers: 75%
  • Millennials: 74%
  • Gen Zers: 57%

Financial services professional:

  • Baby boomers: 81%
  • Gen Xers: 75%
  • Millennials: 60%
  • Gen Zers: 50%

In agents we trust?

Consumers might believe these agents and professionals listen to them, but do they trust them? Baby boomers are the most trusting, while a greater percentage of Gen Zers tend to question their agents’ motives.

 

Let’s look at the percentage of respondents who usually or always trust their agents, by generation:

Real estate agent:

  • Baby boomers: 72%
  • Gen Xers: 72%
  • Millennials: 68%
  • Gen Zers: 49%

Insurance agent:

  • Baby boomers: 79%
  • Gen Xers: 67%
  • Millennials: 74%
  • Gen Zers: 50%

Financial services professional:

  • Baby boomers: 80%
  • Gen Xers: 72%
  • Millennials: 55%
  • Gen Zers: 55%

But if you’re a potential homebuyer who prefers to work without a real estate agent, you can use a mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payment. This could help you decide the price range you’re comfortable with.

Methodology

Agentero surveyed over 1,000 U.S. consumers ages 18 to 75 online on Oct. 4-6, 2021.

 

The generational breakdown is as follows:

  • Gen Zers: Ages 18 to 24
  • Millennials: Ages 25 to 40
  • Gen Xers: Ages 41 to 56
  • Baby boomers: Ages 57 to 75

This article originally appeared on LendingTree.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

 

More from MediaFeed:

The US city that Boomer homebuyers are flocking to

 

Baby boomers are the wealthiest generation of Americans alive today, according to the latest Federal Reserve data, and plenty are still looking to buy homes.

But where are baby boomers looking to buy? To answer this question, LendingTree analyzed mortgage purchase requests made in 2020 on the LendingTree platform across the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas (metros).

What LendingTree found was that baby boomers (defined as anyone born between 1946 and 1964) make up a significant portion of potential homebuyers in many of the country’s largest metros.

 

gabrieleckert / istockphoto

 

LendingTree used generational definitions, from the Pew Research Center, to define the age range for baby boomers as being born between 1946 and 1964.

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) rankings were generated by looking at the percentage of total purchase mortgage requests received by LendingTree from baby-boomer borrowers. The larger the share of requests from baby boomers, the higher ranking a metro area received.

Borrower data was derived from mortgage requests and offers given to users of the LendingTree mortgage shopping platform across the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020.

 

bernardbodo / istockphoto

 

In general, baby boomers tend to have stronger financial profiles than those of younger generations, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t need to carefully plan before buying a home.

Here are some tips for baby boomers looking to buy a home:

  • Consider how it will impact your retirement. If you’re thinking about buying a house while you’re nearing or at retirement age, you’ll want to carefully consider how costs associated with that house will impact you when you’re no longer working. For example, if you pay with cash, ask yourself if you will be able to afford property taxes or other annual fees. If you decide to take out a loan, consider whether or not you’ll be able to make your monthly payments.
  • Look into different loan programs. There are many different loan programs that could be beneficial to you depending on your financial profile. For example, if you’re an older baby boomer you might be able to qualify for a retirement mortgage, which can help you get around income requirements that you’re likely to find with other loans.
  • Pay down your monthly debts. If you decide to purchase a home with a loan, lenders look carefully at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward recurring debts. Maximum DTI ratios vary by loan program, however, so it’s a good idea to keep your total DTI ratio (which includes your monthly mortgage and all debt payments) at 43% or less. Even if you plan on paying with cash, it’s a good idea to pay off as much debt as you can so you have extra money for housing-related costs.

 

Deposit Photos

 

1. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes.

2. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

 

:Ivan Nadaski / iStock

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.28%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.5
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 677
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $45,644
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $224,083

 

Deposit Photos

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.38%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.2
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 689
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $57,105
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $260,750

 

istockphoto/Vito Palmisano

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.49%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.3
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 693
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $97,495
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $423,968

 

istockphoto/shalunts

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.60%
  • Average baby boomer age: 61.8
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 685
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $44,823
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $225,762

 

istockphoto/Mark Howard

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.65%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.1
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 682
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $34,531
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $173,498

 

 

Deposit Photos

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.67%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.1
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 667
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $39,789
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $214,220

 

gabrieleckert / istockphoto

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.84%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.2
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 674
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $42,830
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $217.053

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.89%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.3
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 692
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $58,762
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $282,576

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.92%
  • Average baby boomer age: 61.6
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 662
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $30,158
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $192,342

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 10.96%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.6
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 681
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $41,749
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $209,718

 

istockphoto/Sean Pavone

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 11.62%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.2
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 666
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $34,208
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $180,679

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 11.63%
  • Average baby boomer age: 61.9
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 671
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $44,295
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $247,038

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 11.70%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.6
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 674
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $40,399
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $213,417

 

DepositPhotos

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 11.97%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.1
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 694
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $48,934
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $239,478

 

SeanPavonePhoto/istockphoto

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 12.12%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.3
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 676
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $41,479
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $204,111

 

Sean Pavone / istockphoto

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 12.46%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.4
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 685
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $59,287
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $285,923

 

istockphoto/Chris LaBasco

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 13.19%
  • Average baby boomer age: 61.9
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 665
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $38,683
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $226,908

 

eurobanks/ istockphoto

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 13.20%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.6
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 702
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers:  $91,017
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: 4409,620

 

istockphoto / Jerry Uomala

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 13.27%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.5
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 684
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $43,025
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $218,010

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 13.73%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.7
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 683
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $53,586
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $276,202

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 13.95%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.8
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 687
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $46,364
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $219,520

 

Philip Rozenski / istockphoto

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 15.26%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.5
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 697
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $63,759
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $269,351

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 16.36%
  • Average baby boomer age: 63.2
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 693
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers:  $54,342
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $264,800

 

istockphoto/Sean Pavone

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 17.33%
  • Average baby boomer age: 62.9
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 690
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $41,341
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $196,524

 

Gabriele Maltinti / istockphoto

 

  • Share of mortgage requests coming from baby boomers: 19.97%
  • Average baby boomer age: 63.2
  • Average credit score among baby boomers: 681
  • Average down payment amount among baby boomers: $52,262
  • Average requested loan amount among baby boomers: $263,256

LendingTree senior research analyst Jacob Channel contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on LendingTree.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

 

felixmizioznikov / istockphoto

 

Featured Image Credit: gorodenkoff/istockphoto.

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