Headlines frequently debate the state of our economy, but as a Realtor, I have a front-row seat to these housing trends as they unfold. We read that by late 2025, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that the median age of first-time buyers nationwide reached a record 40. On the ground, I see friends I went to High School with still saving for their first home.
We read that a 2025 poll revealed that 53% of MA residents aged 18–34 are considering leaving the state or know someone who is. I hear prospects telling me they are considering multiple states around the country for the place they settle. Contrary to the popular narrative that millionaires are fleeing taxes, IRS data shows that 87% of outmigrants have household incomes below $200,000.
This exodus is driven largely by the middle and lower-middle class, the very people we are educating and training here. With Massachusetts currently ranking near the bottom for job creation, many young professionals feel their futures are more secure elsewhere…