Gen Z Embraces Co-Buying to Tackle Home Affordability

Shared home ownership with friends, family members becoming more common as traditional path to homeownership grows out of reach

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:57pm

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More Gen Z buyers are teaming up with friends, siblings, or family members to co-buy homes, a housing hack that allows them to pool resources and overcome affordability challenges. According to industry data, shared ownership among Gen Z has jumped from just 4% in 2023 to 22% in 2025, with multi-generational home purchases now making up a record 17% of all sales.

Why it matters

Co-buying solves the problem of housing affordability for younger generations, allowing them to accumulate long-term wealth through shared property ownership. This shift reflects a more pragmatic view of homeownership as a collateralized asset rather than an emotional milestone, and aligns with Gen Z's collaborative mindset developed through group projects, co-working, and online communities.

The details

Co-buying a home with friends, siblings, or family members requires open communication about finances and goals, as well as working with a real estate agent familiar with shared ownership. While it presents challenges around managing the property and splitting expenses, co-buying can provide stability if one owner's financial situation changes. Baby Boomers are also increasingly looking to transfer generational wealth by co-buying or gifting down payments to younger relatives.

  • In 2023, sibling co-buying made up just 4% of Gen Z homeowners.
  • By 2024, sibling co-buying had jumped to 12% of Gen Z homeowners.
  • In 2025, sibling co-buying reached 22% of Gen Z homeowners.

The players

Kerron Stokes

Owner of REMAX Leaders, who says co-owning solves affordability while allowing accumulation of wealth through a fixed asset.

Herron

A real estate expert who says Baby Boomers are actively looking to transfer generational wealth through co-buying or gifting down payments to younger relatives.

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What they’re saying

“Co-owning solves the problem of affordability while also allowing the accumulation of long-term wealth through a fixed asset.”

— Kerron Stokes, Owner, REMAX Leaders

“One of the easiest options is to co-buy or gift a significant down payment to grandchildren or through purchasing properties where they live independently with their children.”

— Herron, Real estate expert

What’s next

As co-buying continues to grow in popularity, real estate agents and financial advisors will play a key role in guiding Gen Z and other buyers through the process of setting up clear agreements and exit plans to prevent potential issues down the line.

The takeaway

The rise of co-buying among Gen Z reflects a pragmatic shift in how younger generations view homeownership, treating it more as a collateralized asset than an emotional milestone. This collaborative approach to real estate allows them to overcome affordability challenges and build long-term wealth, while also providing opportunities for Baby Boomers to transfer generational wealth.