How Gen Z is Reshaping Real Estate: Smart Homes, Sustainability and New Buying Trends
Gen Z, a generation born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is now stepping into the real estate market not just as buyers and renters, but as visionaries. This is also the generation that saw technology grow from its infancy to a fully integrated force, so home, to them, is more than four walls. It’s a reflection of their values, a space where technology thrives, and a commitment to sustainability. Buying a home today is more than just a financial decision; it’s a symbol of comfort and convenience, hence the changing trends of real estate.
According to Housing.com, They seek smart homes that incorporate their needs, eco-friendly spaces that are harmless to the planet, and neighbourhoods that encourage connection, and with a world of listings at their fingertips, Gen Z is redefining how properties are searched, bought, and experienced. For real estate developers, investors, and professionals, understanding this shift isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about embracing the future of the home itself.
Growing up in a digital world of cassettes, Orkott, and Walkie Talkie, Gen Z expects their homes to be just as smart as their devices, so unlike older generations who might view smart home technology as a luxury, Gen Z sees it as an essential feature to ease and aestheticise their lives. Smart security systems, voice-activated assistants, energy-efficient appliances, and remote-controlled thermostats are now standard expectations rather than premium upgrades, so developers and real estate agents must integrate these elements into new properties to appeal to this technophile demographic. Social media marketing has helped 41% of Gen Z and millennials in the process of learning about real estate, according to a report by 2024 RE/MAX Future of Real Estate Report, which asserts the importance of social media in the process.
