Homebuying Trends Of Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans

Active-duty members of the military certainly have much different life experiences than average civilians, but when it comes to buying a house, they have similar tastes and desires.

Through the recently released 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the NAR’s Economists’ Outlook blog found data that represents active-duty service member buyers. Though a small portion of all homebuyers (2 percent), most active-duty members are married and are first-time buyers searching for a single-family home. They are 35 years old, on average; they buy homes through a real estate agent or broker; and they find photos useful when looking at home listings online.

The blog also found data for military veteran buyers, who account for 20 percent of all buyers.

Prior to purchasing, 57 percent of active-duty service member buyers rented an apartment or house. Thirty-six percent of veteran buyers owned their previous home prior to buying. The main reason for their recent purchase was the desire to own a home of their own, for both active-duty service member buyers (37 percent) and veteran buyers (17 percent).

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