The State of the American Dream in Siouxland

Why So Many Aspiring Homeowners Are Hitting “Pause” on Life — And How to Move Forward Anyway

By Haley Markle, Broker/Owner, Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers Realty – Siouxland

For generations, owning a home has been at the heart of the American Dream. It’s not just about four walls and a roof — it’s about stability, pride, and a sense that you’ve finally “arrived.”

Today, that dream is still very much alive… but it’s also causing a lot of people to put the rest of their lives on hold.

According to the Coldwell Banker 2025 American Dream Report, 71% of aspiring homeowners (people who don’t yet own a home but want to someday) are delaying major life decisions until they can afford to buy. That’s a big number — and you can feel it here in Siouxland, too.

Families are waiting. Young professionals are waiting. Whole chapters of life are waiting… for a set of house keys.

The Pause Button on Life

If any of this sounds like you, you’re not alone.

Think about how many decisions get tied to having a home:

A couple wants a yard before they grow their family.
Someone turns down a job in another city because they’re focused on saving for a down payment.
Another person holds off on getting a dog, starting a business, or making a big life change because they “want to wait until we own.”

The report found that among aspiring homeowners:

Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) are delaying marriage or having kids until they own a home.
17% are holding off on changing careers — or even getting a pet.
15% are waiting to start a business or go self-employed.

For younger buyers, the pressure is even stronger. 84% of Gen Z aspiring homeowners (ages 18–28) are delaying at least one major life event until they can afford to buy, and nearly a third (29%) are specifically putting off having children.

In other words: for a lot of people, homeownership has become the starting line for adulthood.

Why Homeownership Still Matters So Much

With prices, interest rates, and headlines what they are, you might expect people to give up on the idea of owning a home.

They haven’t.

The American Dream has evolved, but homeownership is still the main character:

56% of Americans say owning a home represents the American Dream to them — more than marriage and kids, retiring by 67, or earning a college degree.
85% still believe homeownership is part of that dream.

A big reason? Long-term financial stability.

65% believe buying a home is a smarter long-term financial decision than renting in today’s market.
48% say investing in real estate is a better way to build wealth than the stock market.

Here in Siouxland, you can see why. We have a mix of price points, smaller communities surrounding Sioux City, and opportunities that don’t always exist in bigger metro markets. When you buy wisely and hold long-term, your home can become both a place to live and one of the most important pieces of your financial future.

Getting Creative: How Buyers Are Making It Happen

The report also shows that people aren’t just wishing for a home — they’re getting creative, flexible, and determined.

Across the country:

84% of Americans are willing to make concessions to buy a home.
42% are open to taking on side jobs.
35% are considering smaller or fixer-upper homes.
35% would move to a more affordable area.
Around a third are open to co-buying with family (36%) or friends/coworkers (33%).
11% have moved in with parents or in-laws to save.

In Siouxland, that creativity might look like:

Choosing a starter home in a nearby town instead of the “forever home” in the most popular neighborhood.
Buying a property that needs cosmetic updates and building equity as you go.
Partnering with a trusted friend or family member on a co-buying strategy.
Taking on a side hustle or overtime for a specific, time-bound goal: your down payment.

Is it always easy? No. But the data shows people are willing to adapt — and that adaptability is powerful.

Hope on the Horizon (Yes, Really)

Even with the challenges, the dream is far from dead:

63% of non-homeowners would like to buy within the next five years.
That number jumps to 70% for Gen Z and 72% for Millennials (ages 29–44).

Behind those numbers are real people who still believe owning a home is possible — even if it takes more planning, more patience, and more creativity than it used to.

Around here, I see it every day. First-time buyers closing on homes they weren’t sure they could afford a year ago. Families upgrading from “just enough space” to “finally comfortable.” Business owners buying instead of leasing.

The path isn’t always straight… but it’s still there.

If You’re Pausing Life for a House, Read This

If you’ve been putting big decisions on hold until you own a home, here are a few steps you can take now to move from “stuck” to “strategic”:

Get clear on your timeline.
Is your goal 12 months? 3 years? 5? Naming it gives you something to work backward from.
Talk to a lender before you think you’re “ready.”
A conversation doesn’t lock you into anything. It simply gives you real numbers: how much you might qualify for, what needs to improve, and what a realistic monthly payment looks like.
Know your non-negotiables vs. “nice to haves.”
Do you need three bedrooms right away — or could a smaller home work for a few years? Could you live just outside Sioux City if it meant getting into home-ownership sooner?
Consider creative paths, but protect yourself.
Co-buying, fixer-uppers, or moving to a more affordable area can all work — as long as you have clear agreements, solid inspections, and good advice.
Work with a local agent who understands both the data and the emotions.
This is not just a financial decision. It’s your life. You deserve someone who respects both.

What This Means for Siouxland

The American Dream isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore, and that’s okay.

For some, it might mean a downtown condo close to work. For others, it’s an acreage with space for kids, dogs, and chickens. For many first-time buyers, it’s a starter home that fits the budget now and sets them up for options later.

What hasn’t changed is this: home-ownership is still a powerful launchpad — for stability, for roots, and for the freedom to say “yes” to other major life decisions.

At Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers Realty, our job is to help you get there with clarity, strategy, and support — not pressure. Whether you’re 6 months, 3 years, or “I have no idea how long” away from buying, it’s never too early to start the conversation.

If you’re ready to stop feeling like your life is on pause and start building a plan toward home-ownership in Siouxland, we’d love to talk.

Thinking about buying your first home?
Let’s sit down, run the numbers, and map out your path — even if you’re not ready to move tomorrow.

👉 Call, text, or email our office to schedule a no-pressure planning conversation.