You've heard a lot of chat about Millenials, but what do you need to know to drive your business? Millennials are the youngest buyers on the market; they may lack experience and often have a lower price point.

You should jump at the opportunity to work with Millennials. Because many are first-time home buyers, they not only need a trusted adviser to show them the ropes now, but you want to position yourself as the real estate agent they turn to when it comes time to purchase their second home. Why not get ahead start on developing that relationship?

To understand this buyer niche better, here are four things to know:

1. Who They Are

Millennials were born between the early 1980s and 2000s, meaning they are approximately 37 years old and younger. HouseHunt Network reports the following regarding real estate trends for these buyers:

  • Millennials made up 37 percent of all home buyers in 2019 according to the National Association of Realtors' 2019 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report.

 

  • Ninety-seven percent of Millennials financed their homes.

 

  • Twenty-four percent were already repeat home buyers.

 

  • Eight out of 10 purchased a home because they thought it would be a good investment.

 

  • Nineteen percent purchased a home in a major city.

 

  • Six percent purchased a multigenerational home.

These statistics help show how many Millennials are in the market and what they're looking for, offering a glimpse into their motivations for buying a home.

2. How They Think

Most Millennials grew up with the Internet. They have a DIY mentality and do research online before even picking up the phone to reach out to a real estate agent. Because of this, many of them overlook the value an agent adds to a transaction. It's important to help your Millennial clients understand that your knowledge and firsthand experience are more valuable than the tips they can glean from the web.

3. What They're Struggling With

One of the best ways to connect with Millennial home buyers is to understand what obstacles lie between them and the home of their dreams. And the biggest issue for most? Money. (Surprise, surprise.)

Considering Millennials entered the job market during the Great Recession, many have faced low wage growth and rising rents. Add their mounting student loan debt—just under $30,000 per student on average, according to U.S. News & World Report—and it's understandable why the customary 20 percent down payment is a major barrier to home ownership.

In fact, according to Yahoo Finance, a typical Millennial needs 12.5 years to save up for a down payment. What's more, tough lending regulations can make it difficult for Millennials to qualify for a mortgage.

4. Their Options

There are many programs and housing initiatives that Millennial home buyers can take advantage of. Know which programs exist in your area and nationwide so you can give your Millennial home buyers as many options and as much support as possible.

It's important to connect with Millennial home buyers—they're the largest generation in the nation, as reported by the Council of Economic Advisers. The more you know, the more likely you are to prove yourself to be the best real estate agent for them—and to help your business grow in the process.