“While Gen Zers don’t make up a huge portion of home buyers in the nation’s largest metros, their numbers are growing,” one economist says.

Buyers are paying more and so they’re adopting a “move-in-now” mentality, real estate pros say.

Mortgage closing costs for a single-family property averaged $6,905 in 2021, a 13.4% annual increase. In some states, costs are nearly four times higher.

Digital infrastructure, a mix of commercial and residential options, and multiple modes of transportation can help transform communities into energy-efficient, sustainable smart cities.