Read our full analysis for a more in-depth look at these trends.
2026 Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report
New survey data finds Americans more optimistic about homeownership, despite affordability challenges and AI reshaping homebuying.
June 2026
Key takeaways
- This year’s Homebuyer Insights Report survey data reveals meaningful changes in attitudes toward homeownership. The study finds that for the first time since 2023, more Americans favor buying a home (53%) over renting or moving in with family (47%).
- Even as attitudes shift, prospective buyers increasingly point to affordability as the top barrier to homeownership, with expensive home prices (58%, vs. 46% in 2025) and high interest rates (47%, vs. 40% in 2025) leading the way. However, more prospective buyers (79%) say they plan to move forward regardless of market conditions, signaling a shift from waiting to acting.
- Technology and social dynamics are playing a growing role, with one in five buyers using AI tools and younger generations increasingly influenced by social pressure and evolving expectations around homeownership.
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