Baby Boomers and the Palm Beach County Housing Market: Aging in Place, Downsizing and Supply
October 1, 2026 · 8 min read · By Onias Derilus, Broker
Boomers are the largest group of both buyers and sellers. Here is how their choice to stay put or downsize shapes supply, prices and demand for single-story and 55+ homes in Palm Beach County.
The baby boomers housing market story matters more in Palm Beach County than almost anywhere else. Boomers, born from 1946 to 1964, are now the largest group of home buyers and sellers in the country. In a county known for retirees, their choices to stay put, downsize or move closer to family shape how many homes come up for sale and what kind of homes buyers compete for. This guide looks at what national data shows, how it plays out locally, and what it means if you are selling, buying or still deciding.
Key takeaways
- In NAR's 2025 Generational Trends Report, boomers made up 42% of recent buyers and 53% of recent sellers, the largest share of both.
- Older boomers typically owned their homes for 16 years before selling. Long tenure means fewer homes change hands each year.
- AARP's 2024 survey found 75% of adults 50 and older want to stay in their current homes as they age.
- In August 2026, Palm Beach County single-family homes had 3.5 months of supply, while condos and townhouses had 6.7 months.
- Florida's Save Our Homes cap can make staying cheaper than moving, though portability softens that for buyers who stay in Florida.
Baby boomers lead the housing market by the numbers
The National Association of Realtors tracks buyers and sellers by generation every year. In its 2025 Generational Trends Report, younger boomers (ages 60 to 69) made up 26% of recent buyers. Older boomers (ages 70 to 78) added another 16%. Together, that is 42% of all buyers, more than any other generation.
On the selling side, boomers made up 53% of recent sellers. In other words, more than half of the homes sold nationally came from owners born between 1946 and 1964. That means boomer decisions drive a large share of both supply and demand.
NAR also found that boomers buy for different reasons than younger people. The top reasons were to be closer to friends and family, retirement, and wanting a smaller home. Older boomers who sold had typically owned their homes for 16 years.
Aging in place: how baby boomers tighten the housing market
Most older owners want to stay where they are. AARP's 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey found that 75% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their current homes as they age. In addition, 73% hope to stay in their communities. Nearly half expect to need changes to their homes, such as grab bars or easier entries, to make that work.
When owners stay longer, fewer homes reach the market. Many boomers bought decades ago, hold large equity and have paid off or refinanced their loans. They have little pressure to sell. As a result, family-size homes in established neighborhoods can be scarce, and younger buyers compete for the ones that do list.
How Florida's tax rules add to the effect
Florida adds a local twist. Under Save Our Homes, the assessed value of a homestead can rise by no more than 3% a year or the change in the CPI, whichever is lower. After many years, a long-time owner's assessed value can sit far below market value. Moving to a new home resets that value, which can raise the tax bill.
Portability helps. Owners can move up to $500,000 of their Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida homestead, as the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser explains. If the new home is cheaper, they carry a proportional share. Still, the math can feel complex, and some owners stay put rather than run the numbers.
The local baby boomers housing market in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County shows the split clearly. According to the Miami Realtors August 2026 report, single-family homes had a median sale price of $650,000, a median of 40 days to contract and 3.5 months of supply. That points to a seller's market for houses.
Condos and townhouses told a different story. Their median price was $300,000, with 69 days to contract and 6.7 months of supply. That is a more balanced market, with more choices for buyers. Many of those condos sit in older buildings that boomers and earlier generations bought in decades past.
What city data shows
City numbers vary a lot. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the median list price of active residential listings was $550,000 in Boca Raton and $334,500 in Boynton Beach. Both cities mix large numbers of condos and 55+ homes with single-family neighborhoods. Further north, in Port St. Lucie, the median list price was $429,000, with a larger share of newer single-family homes.
These figures are asking prices for active listings, with condos and houses mixed together. They are not sale prices. Use them as a rough guide to each market, and ask for comps on the exact type of home you care about.
Home changes that help owners stay
For owners who plan to stay, small changes often make a big difference. AARP's survey found grab bars and easier entries were the changes people expected to need most. Other common projects include a curbless shower, lever door handles, brighter lighting and a bedroom on the main floor.
These upgrades can also help when it is time to sell. A single-story home with a walk-in shower and no steps at the entry appeals to older buyers, and it rarely turns off younger ones. If you plan a remodel, ask a contractor about permits and an agent about which changes add the most value in your area. Keep receipts, too, since some improvements can raise your cost basis for tax purposes later.
Demand for single-story and 55+ homes
When boomers do move, they tend to want certain features. Single-story living, fewer stairs, wider doorways, low-upkeep yards and walk-in showers all rank high. Those features also help owners who choose to age in place, so demand comes from both movers and stayers.
Age-restricted communities draw a large share of that demand. Under federal rules, at least 80% of occupied units in a 55+ community must have at least one resident 55 or older. Palm Beach County has many such communities, especially in the Boynton Beach and Delray Beach areas. Our guide to 55+ communities in Boynton Beach covers several of them.
Single-story homes in good condition, near shopping and healthcare, tend to draw strong interest from older buyers. Meanwhile, older two-story homes far from services may take longer to sell.
What the baby boomers housing market means for sellers
If you are a boomer thinking about selling, the timing can work in your favor. Single-family supply is tight, and buyers are competing for homes. At the same time, condos and villas are in a more balanced market, which gives you room to negotiate on your next home.
Here are a few steps to take first:
- Get a value estimate for your current home.
- Check your Save Our Homes benefit and run the portability calculator.
- Talk to a tax pro about the home sale exclusion and your cost basis.
- Decide on the type of home you want next, and tour a few.
- Plan whether to sell first or buy first.
Our post Should I downsize my house? walks through each step in detail.
What the baby boomers housing market means for younger buyers
For first-time and move-up buyers, boomer staying power can mean fewer choices among family-size homes. Be ready to move quickly when the right listing appears, with a pre-approval in hand.
On the other hand, estate sales and long-held homes can offer value. Many need updates, which can scare off some buyers and reduce competition. If you are open to renovation, a dated home from a long-time owner may be a good path into a neighborhood you could not otherwise afford.
Inherited homes and estate sales
As boomers age, more homes will pass to heirs. Some heirs keep the home, and others sell. Estate sales often involve probate, a trust or several owners, which can slow closings. Buyers should allow extra time and ask early about who has authority to sign. Heirs who plan to sell should get a valuation early, since the date of death value can matter for taxes.
Will baby boomers flood the housing market?
Some headlines warn of a "silver tsunami" of listings. So far, national data does not show a sudden wave. Instead, boomers are selling gradually, and many are choosing to stay in place for as long as their health allows. The effect is more likely to be a slow, steady release of homes over many years than a sudden flood.
In Palm Beach County, that release will likely show up first among older condos and homes in established neighborhoods. Watch supply by home type, not just the overall number.
Frequently asked questions
What share of home buyers are baby boomers?
In NAR's 2025 Generational Trends Report, boomers made up 42% of recent buyers: 26% younger boomers and 16% older boomers.
Why are boomers not selling their homes?
Many want to age in place. AARP found 75% of adults 50 and older want to stay in their current homes. In Florida, low assessed values under Save Our Homes can also make staying cheaper.
Can I take my homestead tax savings with me if I move?
Yes, within Florida. Portability lets you move up to $500,000 of your Save Our Homes benefit to a new homestead. If the new home costs less, you carry a proportional share.
Is it a good time for boomers to sell in Palm Beach County?
For single-family homes, supply was tight in August 2026 at 3.5 months, which favors sellers. Your own timing depends on your plans, your next home and your taxes.
Sources
- NAR, 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report
- AARP, 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey release
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, portability
- Florida Department of Revenue, Save Our Homes assessment limitation
- 24 CFR 100.305, 80 percent occupancy
- Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report
Thinking about selling the home you have owned for years? Get a free home valuation and a plan built around your next move. Looking for your next place? Request a curated 55+ community shortlist from a Pure Equity agent.
