The Coldwell Banker 2026 American Dream Report finds homeownership is a defining life achievement, with parents planning for it decades in advance, much like a college fund.
MADISON, N.J., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Parents are thinking about their children's first homes long before they're old enough to buy one. Today, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC released the 2026 American Dream Report, revealing that 82% of parents with children ages 5 and under are actively saving or have considered saving for their child's future home down payment. The findings underscore the enduring importance of homeownership in America, with nearly 9 in 10 Americans (89%) calling buying a home an admirable achievement. Much like saving for college, parents are planning decades ahead for homeownership, a milestone many Americans tie directly to financial stability, with 64% saying buying a home means you're financially secure.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate commissioned The Harris Poll to survey more than 2,000 U.S. adults to understand how "The American Dream" is evolving and how families are working together to make homeownership happen. At a time when affordability is shaping how Americans approach homeownership, the report found that many parents are thinking about their child's first home, sometimes decades in advance:
- Among parents of children 5 and under, 1 in 7 (14%) have already started saving for their child's future down payment, alongside the 1 in 5 (20%) already saving for their child's college and the 1 in 4 (28%) saving for their own retirement.
- Among all parents, a child's future down payment (56%) sits right alongside college (51%) and a first car (49%) as something they've considered saving for.
- Younger parents are leading the way: 85% of Gen Z and 82% of Millennial parents have considered or started saving for a child's down payment, compared to 70% of Gen X and 51% of Baby Boomer parents.
- Half of Americans (51%) have helped or considered helping fund a relative's down payment.
- Among those who received money from family or friends for their down payment, 7 in 10 (71%) say they are expected to pay it back.
The desire to own a home runs especially deep among younger Americans. Among Gen Zers who don't yet own a home, 92% want to buy someday, and many would put a dream home ahead of other big life goals. In fact, 28% would choose their dream home over landing their dream job, and 25% would choose it over finding their ideal partner.
"Coldwell Banker-affiliated agents are increasingly sitting down with buyers and their parents at the same table, mapping out down payments, timelines and what's realistic in this market," said Mary Lee Blaylock, President of Coldwell Banker Affiliates. "For many families, buying a home has become a team effort that starts years before the first showing. Parents are thinking about their child's first home before kindergarten, and families are showing up for one another to help the next generation get the keys. Homeownership is still one of the most reliable ways families build wealth over time, so even with affordability as tough as it is right now, parents want to give their kids that head start."
Other Key Trends in the Coldwell Banker® 2026 American Dream Report:
Families Are Financing the American Dream Together
Families are pooling support to help one another reach homeownership, and that help often comes with a plan to pay it back. It's one path among many, with personal savings still leading the way.
- 15% of homeowners got money from family or friends for their down payment, rising to 26% of Gen Z homeowners.
- Among those who got family money, about 7 in 10 (71%) are expected to pay it back.
- Half of Americans (51%) have helped fund a relative's down payment or considered it.
- 17% of Americans used, or expect to use, a gift or loan from family or friends for their down payment, while personal savings is the top used or expected source (44%).
- Buyers are teaming up beyond family, too: 7% of Americans have co-bought or are co-buying a home with a friend or other non-romantic partner, up from 4% who had done so in 2025.
"Gen X and Millennials are set to inherit a large share of nearly $2.4 trillion in U.S. real estate wealth over the next decade," Blaylock said. "We're already seeing the great wealth transfer reshape the luxury market, but now, the desire to pass homeownership forward is showing up on Main Street, too. Every home buyer's path looks a little different – the constant is that most people want to own homes, and families want to help each other get there."
Homeownership Remains a Foundation for Financial Security and Success
Americans continue to see owning a home as a foundation for security and a sign of having made it, and that belief has held steady from last year. Even with 63% of Americans saying buying in the next year would leave them house poor, the long-term goal remains firmly in place.
- 85% of Americans say homeownership is part of the American Dream for most Americans, unchanged from 2025.
- 85% say homeownership gives a sense of security that renting can't, comparable to 86% from last year.
- 84% see homeownership as a sign of success, and 64% say buying a home means you're financially secure.
- That sense of security is especially strong among younger Americans, with 73% of Gen Z saying buying a home means you're financially secure, compared to 59% of Baby Boomers.
The American Dream Home Is Refreshingly Practical
If cost weren't a factor, 80% of Americans would choose to own their home. When they picture the top features of that dream home, the wish list centers on everyday spaces with room for the whole family.
- Enough bedrooms so everyone has their own tops the list (36%).
- A large kitchen (34%) and a big backyard (33%) follow close behind, reflecting the spaces where family life happens day to day.
For more information on the Coldwell Banker 2026 American Dream Report, visit Blue Matter® blog.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Coldwell Banker Real Estate from September 8-10, 2026 among 2,060 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.
About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
Powered by its network of 88,000 affiliated sales professionals across 50+ countries and territories, the Coldwell Banker® system is a leading provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage services. The Coldwell Banker brand prides itself on its history of expertise, honesty, and an empowering culture of excellence since its beginnings in 1906. The Coldwell Banker brand is committed to providing its network of affiliated agents with the tools and insights needed to excel in today's marketplace and is known for its bold leadership and dedication to driving the industry forward. Coldwell Banker is a part of Compass International Holdings (NYSE: COMP), a global real estate services company with a presence in every major U.S. city and in approximately 120 countries and territories. Compass International Holdings and Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. To join Coldwell Banker Real Estate and unlock the Gen Blue possibilities, visit Coldwell Banker Careers.
Andrea.Gillespie@cbexchange.com, Andrea Gillespie
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