Gen Z and Millennials eye property market despite challenges

A new study by ubank reveals that the majority of young Australians still aspire to homeownership, with more than half planning to enter the property market within five years.

Key findings from the ubank research include:

• 56% of Gen Z and Millennial non-homeowners aim to purchase their first property within five years
• 89% agree that buying a home is one of their life goals
• 95% acknowledge it won’t be easy to achieve homeownership

The main barriers cited by would-be buyers are:

• High house prices (63%)
• Difficulty saving for a deposit (42%)
• High interest rates (39%)

Dr Michael Baumann, executive general manager of home buying at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), commented on the findings.

“It’s not surprising to see first home buyers looking at all of the options available to them,” Baumann said.

The study also highlighted that the home-buying process and terminology are confusing for many:

• 75% find the process stressful
• 79% say the jargon used is confusing

Meanwhile, CBA data shows a growing trend of first-time buyers purchasing alone:

• 40% of first home buyers bought property alone in the first half of 2024
• This is up from 35% in the first half of 2019

The use of government-funded guarantees has also increased:

• The number of people using first home buyer guarantees rose 45% between FY21 and FY24

Despite the challenges, the research suggests that the “great Australian dream” of homeownership remains strong among younger generations.