If you're shopping for a house this year, there's likely a reason you've decided now's the right time for you to buy. Maybe it's because you no longer like the neighborhood you're in or you need more space because your family's grown since your last move. Whatever the reason, the list of things you want in your new home is mostly tied to the things you want and need right now. But, based on a new analysis of homeownership tenure from ATTOM Data Solutions, you might also want to think about your future needs. That's because, the length of time the average homeowner lives in a house has been growing over recent years. In fact, in the early 2000's, homeowners typically stayed in a house just under four-and-a-half years. These days, it's almost double that. At the end of last year, for example, the average homeowner owned their home just over eight years! And, while it's fallen slightly this year, it's still climbing in some places - especially the Midwest and the South. In other words, the house you buy today may be your home for most of the next decade. Which means, you should probably give some thought to - not just what you need right now - but what you might also need over the next several years! (source)
