What’s Driving Home Purchases Right Now?

As we move into the final few months of 2026, a lot of us are starting to think about what we want next year to look like. Maybe that means changing jobs, traveling more, tackling a project you've been putting off, or finally making a move that has been in the back of your mind for a while.

Real estate decisions often start the same way. Some moves happen because circumstances change quickly, while others begin as an idea that takes months, or even years, to turn into a plan. Looking at why people are buying homes right now is a good reminder that there usually isn't one single event that makes someone decide it's time to move.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, the most common primary reason for purchasing a home was simply the desire to own a home, cited by 21% of buyers. Another 16% purchased because they wanted to be closer to family, friends, or relatives, while 10% wanted a larger home.

Those numbers stood out to us because all three reasons often begin well before someone actually starts touring houses.

Sometimes a Move Starts Long Before the Home Search

Someone who wants to become a homeowner may spend a year working on savings, learning about financing, and figuring out what they can comfortably afford. A family who wants more space may know their current home is getting tight long before they're ready to sell. Someone thinking about moving closer to parents, children, grandchildren, or friends may spend months trying to figure out which community would make the most sense.

In other words, you don't need to be ready to move next month to start preparing for a future real estate decision.

If buying a home is one of your goals for 2027, there are things you can begin doing now. You can learn what homes in your preferred areas are actually selling for, talk with a lender about financing, and start refining what matters most to you in a home. We can also set up listing alerts so you can follow homes coming to market without feeling pressure to make a decision before you're ready.

If you already own a home and know you'll eventually need to sell before buying the next one, having more time can be even more useful. You can start getting an idea of what your current home may be worth, which projects might be worth addressing before a future sale, and how selling and buying could work together financially and logistically.

None of that means you're committing to a move. It simply means that when the time does feel right, you won't be starting from scratch.

Why People Are Buying Homes in 2026

The desire to own a home was the top reason for purchasing in the NAR report at 21%, but the other responses tell an equally important story about the role our homes play in our lives.

Being closer to family, friends, or relatives was the primary reason for 16% of buyers. Another 10% wanted a larger home. Changes in family situations, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or divorce, accounted for 7%, while 7% wanted a home in a better area and 5% purchased because of a job-related relocation or move.

What these reasons have in common is that they're personal. Interest rates, inventory, and home prices certainly influence what buyers can afford and which options are available, but people's lives don't always wait for the housing market to provide the perfect conditions.

Sometimes the desire to move becomes more important than trying to perfectly time the market.

Source: National Association of REALTORS® 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report

Planning Ahead Gives Buyers More Options

One of the easiest things a future buyer can do is start paying attention to the market before they're ready to make an offer.

If you're considering several Northern California communities, following listings can help you understand the differences between them. What does your budget buy in Napa compared with Sonoma? Would Solano County give you the additional space you're looking for? What types of properties are available in Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda, or San Francisco?

Over time, you'll start to recognize what is typical for your price range and which features may require some flexibility.

That kind of knowledge is much easier to build when you aren't under pressure to make an immediate decision. By the time you're ready to seriously begin looking, you may already have a much clearer understanding of what you want and where you're most likely to find it.

Planning Matters Even More When You Have a Home to Sell

For current homeowners, the next purchase may only be half of the equation. You may also need to figure out what happens with the home you're living in now.

This is another area where starting early can be helpful. A conversation months before a potential sale can give you time to understand your home's potential value and talk through any preparation that might make sense before putting it on the market.

That doesn't automatically mean renovating the kitchen, replacing every floor, or working through a long list of expensive projects. In some cases, a seller may benefit from making certain improvements. In others, cleaning, decluttering, repairs, or thoughtful staging may be more appropriate.

The goal is to understand your options before you're under pressure to make those decisions quickly.

If you'll be selling and buying at the same time, planning can also help you understand how the two transactions could work together. Your finances, current property, destination, timing, and the market at that time will all influence the right approach.

Some Moves Don't Come With Much Warning

Of course, not every real estate decision gives you a year to prepare.

A new job may require a relocation with a firm start date. A growing family can change what you need from your home sooner than expected. Marriage may mean combining two households, while a separation or divorce can mean one household suddenly becoming two. Changes involving parents or other family members may also make living closer to one another much more important.

These moves tend to involve more than a real estate transaction. You're often making housing decisions at the same time you're dealing with another significant change in your life.

When the timeline is short, having a clear plan becomes especially important. A buyer may need to quickly get clear about financing, location, timing, and which home features are essential versus flexible. A seller may need to determine which preparations are realistic within the available timeframe rather than trying to make everything perfect.

If you need to sell and buy at the same time, there are even more questions to work through. Understanding what needs to happen first, what can overlap, and what backup plans may be appropriate can make a complicated move feel much more manageable.

What If Your Next Move Isn't in Northern California?

Job changes, family connections, retirement plans, and lifestyle decisions can take people well beyond the community where they're currently living.

If your next move takes you outside Northern California, EO&A can still be a resource. Through PLACE, we're connected with real estate professionals in markets across the country and can help connect you with someone who knows the area you're considering.

That can be particularly useful when you're selling a home here while purchasing somewhere unfamiliar. Rather than trying to piece together two completely separate transactions on your own, you can begin building the right team on both sides of the move.

The same applies in reverse. If someone you know is planning a move to Northern California, we're happy to help them learn about the communities we serve and begin figuring out where they might feel most at home.

You Don't Have to Know Exactly When You're Moving

One of the most useful things to remember is that talking about a potential move doesn't mean you have to make one.

If there's a reasonable chance that buying, selling, or relocating could be part of your plans for 2027 or even further down the road, starting the conversation early gives you time to gather information and understand your options without creating unnecessary pressure.

Sometimes a move begins with wanting a place of your own. Sometimes the home that once worked well simply doesn't fit anymore. Sometimes you realize you'd rather live closer to the people you love. And sometimes life changes quickly and your housing plans have to change with it.

Wherever you are in that process, you don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out. We can start with where you are now, talk about where you'd like to go, and help you understand what would need to happen between the two.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Home Purchase

How far in advance should I start planning to buy a home?

You don't have to wait until you're ready to start touring homes. If buying is something you're considering within the next year or two, you can start by learning about financing, following homes in the areas you're interested in, and getting a better sense of what your budget buys. Starting early gives you time to make decisions without the pressure of an immediate purchase.

Should I talk to a real estate agent if I'm not ready to buy yet?

Yes. An early conversation doesn't mean you're committing to buying a home. A real estate agent can help you understand local markets, set up listing alerts, talk through your priorities, and identify steps you may want to take before you're ready to begin a serious home search.

What if I need to sell my current home before buying another one?

If your next purchase depends on selling your current home, it's helpful to start planning early. A real estate agent can help you understand your home's potential value, discuss preparation for a future sale, and explain different ways the timing of a sale and purchase may work together. The best approach will depend on your finances, timeline, current home, and the market at the time.

Can EO&A help if I'm moving outside Northern California?

Yes. EO&A is part of PLACE, which connects us with real estate professionals in markets across the country. If you're relocating outside Northern California, we can help connect you with a local real estate professional in your destination market while helping with your real estate needs here.

Search Homes  •  Buyer Services  •  Meet the EO&A Team

Contact EO&A today to schedule your free home value review.

Your Trusted Real Estate Advisors across Northern California

Whether you’re planning to sell in San Francisco, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Contra Costa, or Alameda County, our team has local experts ready to help you navigate your next move with confidence and strategy.

EO&A Team




Elizabeth, Anne, Ian, Ksenia, Cliff, Annie, Mike, Nina, Sidra, Karen, Annie, Steven, Gladys, Venus, Najat, and Courtney



707.312.0819 • hello@eoanda.com • www.eoanda.com
DRE# 01388551 • GUIDE Real Estate DRE# 01976964

Information is provided for general educational purposes. Property availability, pricing, and open-house schedules can change. Confirm current details with a licensed real estate professional.