Parents increasingly save for children's home down payments amid affordability challenges

A recent report from Coldwell Banker Real Estate reveals that homeownership is becoming a multigenerational effort, with 82% of parents with children aged 5 and under either saving or considering saving for their child's future home down payment, according to HousingWire.

The 2026 American Dream Report, conducted with The Harris Poll and released on October 28, surveyed over 2,000 U.S. adults and found that saving for a child's down payment is now a key financial goal alongside college and buying a first car.

Among parents of young children, 14% have already started saving for a down payment, compared to 20% saving for college and 28% saving for their own retirement. Younger parents, especially Gen Z and millennials, are leading this trend more than older generations.

Coldwell Banker Affiliates President Mary Lee Blaylock noted that agents are increasingly engaging with buyers and their parents together to plan down payments and timelines, highlighting that home buying has become a team effort that often begins years in advance.

For housing professionals, this shift means that conversations about homeownership now often involve extended family members who may contribute funds or advise on timing, reflecting how family capital is used to help bridge affordability challenges in the current market.