Half of homebuyers consider kids' opinion in buying decision – survey

The number is even higher among millennial parents

By Francis Monfort

23 May 2018

A majority of homebuying decisions are influenced by the opinion of the buyer’s children, according to a new Harris Poll survey commissioned by SunTrust Mortgage.

The study found that 55% of US homeowners with a child under the age of 18 at the time they bought a new home said that the opinion of their child was a factor in their homebuying decision. The share if even higher for millennial parents between 18 and 36, 74% of whom said their decision was influenced by their children.

The survey also looked into what children lobby for when their family is picking a home. It found that top request was for children to have their own bedrooms (57%). Other top requests were large backyards (34%), proximity to parks (25%), schools (24%), friends (24%), and swimming pools (21%).

SunTrust Mortgage said the opinions the children of a family looking for a home may even play a greater role in home purchases by renters with children under 18. The survey revealed that 83% of these renters said the opinion of their children will be a factor in which home to buy.