Over Half of Americans Don't See Their Dream Home Becoming Reality

Although two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they'd be more confident if they lived in their dream home, 53% believe it will remain a lifelong fantasy.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Just 28% of Americans say they could afford their dream home today, and fewer than half (47%) think they'll ever live in their dream home, according to a new report from Clever Offers, a platform owned by Clever Real Estate that allows home sellers on tight timelines to explore their selling options.

Unsurprisingly, the top reason Americans don't think they'll ever own their dream home is that they won't be able to afford it (68%).

The typical dream home is a custom new-build, ranch-style home spanning more than 2,000 square feet, with scenic countryside or waterfront views and plenty of outdoor space — that costs at least $500,000.

Conversely, nearly half of Americans (45%) say their current home is smaller than 1,500 square feet, and only 21% say they could afford a home that costs $500,000 or more.

Although two-thirds of Americans (67%) would look for a dream home larger than 2,000 square feet, 1 in 10 (9%) dream of owning 5,000 square feet or more.

If money were no object, nearly half (43%) would prefer a custom new build. The most desired features are a fenced-in yard (46%), a back patio (45%), and a front porch (44%).

Despite dreaming big, Americans are largely willing to compromise on their home goals. About 70% of Americans would rather have a less-than-ideal home in their ideal location than a dream home in a less desirable spot.

Similarly, 77% of Americans would choose function over aesthetics, and 76% would prefer a low-maintenance home over a high-end property that's more difficult to manage.

And while 90% want scenic views — with the top locations being countryside (44%), oceanfront (41%), or lakeside (41%) — just a third (32%) consider it a must-have.

Gen Z (57%) and millennials (53%) are nearly three times more likely than boomers (18%) to believe that a bigger, fancier home would increase their happiness. Overall, 60% of Americans believe living in a beautiful home would improve their quality of life.

Read the full report at: https://cleveroffers.com/research/dream-home-features

About Clever Offers
Clever Offers is a platform that empowers sellers who need to sell quickly or for cash to compare their options and make informed decisions. Clever Offers' free service connects sellers with vetted cash buyers and top local realtors, allowing them to evaluate traditional cash offers alongside options such as cash offers with a second payment upon resale, listing on the MLS for as little as 7 days, and standard open-market listings.

About Clever
Clever Real Estate's content reaches over 10 million readers annually, and its nationwide agent matching service has a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 3,700+ customer reviews. Since launching in 2017, Clever has reached $14.5 billion in real estate sold, matched 185,000+ customers with realtors, and saved consumers over $210 million on commission fees. Clever's network spans 18,000 agents across all 50 states.

CONTACT:                                                                                                                                         
Alyssa Evans
Clever Real Estate
[email protected] 
315-690-1518

SOURCE Clever Offers