Affordability and risk concerns keep dream homes out of reach for the majority
More than half of Americans believe their dream home will remain just that—a dream—according to a new survey by Clever Offers.
While 66% said they’d feel more confident living in their ideal property, 53% admitted they don’t expect to ever achieve it. Only 28% said they could afford their dream home today, and fewer than half think they’ll ever get there.
“Affordability is the biggest barrier,” Clever Offers found, with 68% of respondents citing cost as the main reason their dream home is out of reach.
The typical dream property, according to the survey, is a custom new-build, ranch-style house over 2,000 square feet, set in the countryside or by water, and priced at least $500,000. Yet, nearly half of Americans live in homes under 1,500 square feet, and just 21% said they could afford a $500,000 property.
According to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), nearly eight in 10 United States metro areas saw home prices rise in the third quarter of 2025. The national median single-family existing-home price grew 1.7% year over year to $426,800, matching the annual pace seen in Q2.
Compromises and dealbreakers
About 70% said they’d rather settle for a less-than-ideal home in a prime location than have their dream home in a less desirable area. “Function over aesthetics” was the mantra for 77%, and 76% preferred low-maintenance properties over high-end, harder-to-manage homes.
Dealbreakers, however, remain non-negotiable. A home with a history of damage, bad neighbors, or in a disaster-prone area topped the list, each flagged by 24% of respondents. High property taxes (22%) and insurance costs (16%) also ranked high. More Americans saw living in a homeowners association as a dealbreaker than living where a serious crime occurred.
Miki Adams, president of CBC Mortgage Agency, is very concerned that soaring costs are going to keep potential first-time buyers from ever entering the market.
“For me, it’s about going out there and hosting homebuyer events to educate, getting into the communities, to teach consumers, as opposed to business-to-business,” Adams told Mortgage Professional America.
“Teaching consumers about the availability of down payment assistance programs was a big thing for me, and it was eye-opening to learn that it's not just the consumers, it's also realtors and brokers.”
Generational and ownership divides
Gen Z and millennials were nearly three times more likely than boomers to believe a bigger, fancier home would boost happiness. “Sixty percent of Americans believe living in a beautiful home would improve their quality of life,” Clever Offers reported.
Homeowners and renters also diverged. Homeowners envisioned pricier dream homes, while renters dreamed bigger in terms of square footage.
Owners prioritized quality and design; renters leaned toward pools, elevators, and larger spaces.
“Current homeowners take a more realistic approach that’s likely informed by their experience, while renters are more concerned with aspirational or theoretical risks or downsides,” the report said.
Clever Offers surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in late August 2025, asking about their views and experiences with dream homes.
Meanwhile, NAR revealed that the median age of first-time homebuyers had soared to 40 years old. Even the median age of repeat buyers reached a record of 62.
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