For many within the Latino, Latine, and Hispanic communities, buying a home is a rite of passage. The idea of owning a space that you can call your own has been something many grew up with imagining as a sign that they’ve “made it.” But as time progresses, that dream seems to be getting a little harder to see. 

A 2023 study by The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals has found that despite any barriers, our comunidad remains resilient. When the time comes for our gente to buy homes, they are focusing on community.

Real estate company Century 21 recently released a report that analzyed our comunidad’s desire to prioritize connection and community within the neighborhoods they are looking to settle into.

Latinidad Collective chatted with Century 21’s Eva Angelina Romero to discuss how the Latinos, Latines, and Hispanics’ need for community has become their driving motivator when buying a home.

Eighty-nine percent of recent or intending Hispanic homebuyers are placing importance not only on the house they live in but also on the community

Romero notes that the 89% of our comunidad that is focused on the community aspect of the buying process was one of the more surprising facts to come from the study.

She adds, “For Hispanic homebuyers, community looks like a mutually supportive arrangement, where they can make a positive impact and receive help in return.”

“Community is such a crucial aspect to Hispanic homebuyers in that 93% of Hispanic homebuyers will prioritize a dream community over a dream house and after moving [when compared to] 88% of general homebuyers,” Romero continues.

The study found that not only are they looking for a sense of community, but they are also looking to get involved with local politics.

Romero adds, “We’ve also found that many recent [or] intending Hispanic buyers look for a home in a community that offers economic opportunity and allows them to make a difference and that almost a third (32%) say they are or will get involved in local politics, the highest incidence among all respondents.”

Compared to other homebuyers, Latinos, Latines, and Hispanics have a greater sense of pride and joy that comes with their home

Whereas 47% of overall homebuyers experienced joy, 50% of Latinos, Latines, and Hispanics experienced joy when buying a home. 

That’s compared to the 34% of overall homebuyers who feel pride to the 39% of Latinos, Latines, and Hispanics who felt pride about their casita.

Romero continues, “Knowing that 93% of Hispanic homebuyers will prioritize a dream community over a dream house, we can assume that even if the house is perfect, if the community lacks, Hispanic homebuyers will decide against purchasing.” 

“For Hispanic recent [or] intending homebuyers, a new home is a point of joy and pride as it signifies the ability to grow their and their family’s future within a community,” she tells Latinidad Collective.

“Despite this post-pandemic effect, the excitement and joy of home ownership continue to drive consumers — because buying a home means joining a community,” Romero explains. 

She detailed, “Hispanic homebuyers’ want for connection and community has positively helped the real estate industry due to their strong desires to continue to buy homes and be a part of their neighborhood.”