The Typical Home Seller Is Now 64—And They’re Staying Put Longer Than Ever

by Chuck Barberini

The Typical Home Seller Is Now 64—And They’re Staying Put Longer Than Ever

The average home seller in 2025 is not a young family trading up for more space.

According to NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the typical seller is now 64 years old and has owned their home for a median of 11 years, both the highest figures on record. In 2005, the average seller was just 47.

Data from NAR’s report shows the same trend in home buyers: the typical first-time buyer age is up to a record 40 years, while the age of home buyers as a whole reached a record 59. The typical repeat buyer is now 62, also an all-time high.

This shift matters. When sellers are older and holding onto their homes longer, inventory stays tight, buyer competition rises, and agents have to adjust their approach.

Today’s sellers aren’t rushing to cash out. They’re making moves driven by family, lifestyle, and life stage rather than financial opportunity.

The Aging Seller: From 47 to 64 in Just Two Decades

Homeownership has aged dramatically over the past 20 years, and it’s changing who controls the market.

The share of married couples selling their homes dipped slightly, while single female sellers increased. Most sellers no longer have children living at home, and they tend to be financially stable and demographically consistent.

Here’s what the data shows:

Typical seller age: 64 years, up from 63 last year and 47 in 2005
68% were married couples (down from 69%)
20% were single females (up from last year)
81% had no children under 18 at home, up from 77% last year
90% identified as White/Caucasian, 5% Hispanic/Latino, 3% Black/African American, 2% Asian/Pacific Islander
98% of households spoke English as their primary language
Median household income: $112,400 (down slightly from $112,500 in 2023)

The data for 2025 points to a more mature, equity-rich seller pool with established expectations. These clients are confident, often financially comfortable, and motivated by lifestyle rather than urgency.

Staying Put Longer Than Ever

The median tenure for sellers hit an all-time high of 11 years, up from 10 years last year and nearly double the six-year median from 2000 to 2008. That means fewer homes hitting the market each year and tighter inventory across most price points.

Key data points:

Median tenure: 11 years (record high)
Last year’s median: 10 years
2000–2008 average tenure: 6 years
96% of sellers were able to sell when they wanted to
6% delayed selling within the last five years

For many sellers, longer tenure isn’t about hesitation but comfort. They’re settled, emotionally connected to their homes, and locked into low mortgage rates they don’t want to give up. That combination of attachment and affordability is keeping inventory scarce and prices elevated.

Why Sellers Are Moving Now

Even after years of stability, many sellers are choosing to move for personal and emotional reasons. The top reason in 2025 was to be closer to friends and family, followed by changes in home size or family situation.

Top reasons for selling:

26% wanted to move closer to friends or family
10% said their home was too small
10% said it was too large
8% cited a change in family situation

This shift toward lifestyle-based moves shows how much personal priorities drive today’s housing market. Agents who listen for emotional motivators can better connect with clients and tailor their marketing to fit each seller’s story.

How Sellers Are Approaching the Sale

Sellers are being practical about how they prep their homes. Many are opting for light touch-ups instead of major remodels, confident that strong demand will carry their listing. A little more than half (53%) completed minor repairs or updates before selling. And 35% sold their homes as-is.

Property types sold:

82% detached single-family homes
5% townhomes or row houses
4% condos or duplexes

For sellers in NAR’s survey, the median final sales price was 99% of the final listing price. And with homes still selling close to ask, sellers in many U.S. markets are calling the shots.

The takeaway: lean into transparent pricing strategies and help sellers understand when “as-is” can still attract competitive offers.

The New Geography of Selling

Sellers are moving farther from their previous homes, with many relocating within the same state but venturing into new regions for lifestyle or cost reasons. The median moving distance was 30 miles, with 22 as the median for first-time sellers and 35 for repeat sellers.

Other key data points:

19% purchased in a different region
66% moved within the same state
15% stayed in the same region
50% bought a newer home
28% bought a home of the same age
26% bought an older home

Age continues to influence these decisions. Sellers under 55 were more likely to trade up, while those over 55 tended to downsize or move closer to family.

How Quickly Homes Are Selling

Despite higher rates, homes are still moving fast. The median time on market this year was four weeks, one week longer than last year, and nearly one in ten homes sold in less than a week.

Key data points:

Median time on market: 4 weeks, up from 3 weeks
1 in 10 homes sold in under a week
Homes listed for two weeks or less sold for 100% of asking price
9% of sellers didn’t reduce their price
25% reduced their price once
27% offered buyer incentives (up from 24%)

The most common incentives were closing cost assistance and home warranty coverage.

Speed and pricing still go hand in hand. Homes that show well and are priced right continue to attract offers close to ask, even as overall time on market stretches slightly.

What Sellers Think About the Process

Satisfaction levels remain strong among sellers, even in a shifting market. The vast majority said they were pleased with how their sale went, reinforcing the value of a trusted agent relationship.

Key data points:

66% of sellers were very satisfied with the selling process
24% were somewhat satisfied
96% sold when they wanted to

These satisfaction numbers speak volumes about what’s still working in today’s housing landscape. Sellers may be older and more selective, but with the right guidance, they’re achieving their goals. And they’re doing it on their terms.

Sarah Lentz | Nov 10, 2025 | Housing Market

https://nowbam.com/the-typical-home-seller-is-now-64-and-theyre-staying-put-longer-than-ever/