CENTURY 21 Survey Reveals Majority Of Single Homebuyers Feel Strongly About The Importance Of Becoming A Homeowner

MADISON, N.J., Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTURY 21 Real Estate, the iconic brand and franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, today announced the results of the CENTURY 21^® commissioned "Singles Homebuyer Survey." Among the key findings was that for three-quarters (75%) of single homeowners aged 25-50, becoming a homeowner was at least fairly important with almost half (45%) of single homeowners saying it was "very important" for them to become a homeowner. Single homeowners said the top three factors that best described their motivation for purchasing a home were: they viewed it as an investment in their financial future; got tired of paying rent; and it felt like the right time. In addition, nearly two-thirds of single homeowners (64%) say they overcame a roadblock in order to purchase their home.  

"We are in the midst of a shift in the home-buying population," said Rick Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "This survey shows that homeownership is a major life decision for singles, and that it is just as important a part of the American Dream for singles as it is for married couples."

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, nearly one-third (32 percent) of all real estate purchases in 2013 were made by a single homebuyer – and one-person households were up from 17 percent in 1970 to 27 percent in 2013. Not only are people getting married at an older age than previous generations, they are more apt to live by themselves, as shown by data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Real change, innovation and market growth stems from understanding consumers' drive, motivation and sentiment, and how these can shift from person to person," added Davidson. "Knowing this, CENTURY 21 affiliated sales professionals are able to build customizable action plans that better meet the needs of today's buyers, sellers and investors."

According to the CENTURY 21 survey, singles are finding ways to achieve homeownership, including making certain lifestyle sacrifices. Three in five (60%) of single homeowners say they would dine out less to purchase a home, while over half (would cut back on entertainment (54%) and spend less on vacations (51%). There are also gender differences, as single female homeowners are more likely than single male homeowners to say they would cut down on clothes (48 percent vs. 36 percent). Interestingly, one out of four (24%) single buyers indicated they wouldn't make any lifestyle sacrifices to achieve homeownership, compared to one out of five married buyers (19%) who felt the same way.

Among the most important homebuying considerations for single homeowners were space and square footage (59%), the yard (57%) and proximity to work or school (47%).

Another theme that CENTURY 21 discovered in the survey is that many single homeowners found certain aspects of the homebuying process to be intimidating. Among the homebuying steps that singles say are very intimidating or extremely intimidating are: making an offer and negotiating a price (38%), obtaining a mortgage (36%), moving (31%), the closing (30%) and searching for and locating a home (25%).

Single homeowners aged 25-35 were also more likely than those aged 36-50 to say an important consideration when looking for a home was good cell service (28% vs. 11%) and proximity to public transportation (19% vs. 11%).

Not surprisingly, single homeowners aged 25-35 were more likely than those aged 36-50 to say they used an online real estate website on their phone (21% vs. 9%) or used an app on a mobile phone (14% vs. 5%).

"With Century21.com attracting more unique visitors than any other real estate franchise brand website, and cross-platform mobile apps, CENTURY 21 sales associates are positioned to meet the needs of these online and mobile consumers," explained Davidson. "Simplicity and mobility are the keys, and we make the process of searching for a home clear, simple and convenient."

Methodology:

This survey was conducted online within the United States between May 27 and June 13, 2014 among 1,462 homeowners aged 25-50, of whom 675 were single homeowners by Harris Interactive on behalf of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

About Century 21 Real Estate LLC
Century 21 Real Estate LLC (CENTURY21.com) is the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, comprised of approximately 6,900 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 75 countries and territories worldwide with more than 102,000 independent sales professionals. The CENTURY 21® System provides brand marks, marketing, communications and innovative technology solutions that help enable its franchisees and their independent agents to attract and engage prospects, nurture customers, and deliver a positive real estate transaction experience.

The CENTURY 21^® brand was ranked "Highest Overall Satisfaction for First-Time and Repeat Home Buyers and Sellers" by the J.D. Power 2014 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study^SM.

The CENTURY 21 Brand, as identified by consumers from a list of real estate agencies in the Millward Brown 2013 Ad Tracking Study, is the most recognized brand name in real estate, and the industry leader in brand awareness – a position it has held since 1999.

*According to comScore, Inc., a global leader in digital measurement and analytics.

C21® System members are active members of the communities in which they live and work, having raised over $108 million in total contributions to Easter Seals since 1979.

To find answers to your real estate questions, please visit the Web site that best meets your needs: CENTURY21.com, Century21Global.com, commercial.century21.com, century21.com/finehomes, and Century21espanol.com.

Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.

© 2014 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21, the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Contacts:
Peter Mosca
Century 21 Real Estate
Phone: 973.407.5180
Email: [email protected]

Bethany Ciampa
Mullen
Phone: 617-226-9950
Email: [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140219/NY67846LOGO

SOURCE Century 21 Real Estate LLC