K
atie Notopoulos, Business Insider’s senior correspondent on technology and culture, hosts the new “Well Spent” video podcast with Emily Stewart and Zillow’s Amanda Pendleton. In the first episode, Pendleton explains why millennials are buying homes now and how the break‑even period for ownership has stretched from the old 2‑3 years to 7‑9 years on average. In pricey markets like San Francisco or New York, the math demands 15‑20 years before buying beats renting.

    Pendleton notes that rising prices, higher interest rates, slower home‑value growth, and a booming stock market have all shifted the calculus. Renting is increasingly seen as a viable long‑term choice rather than a stepping stone to ownership. She advises young buyers to shop around for mortgage rates before even opening Zillow.

    Business Insider real‑estate correspondent James Rodriguez joins the conversation to discuss 2025’s record median home price of $435,300 nationwide. He warns against the myth of a “silver tsunami” of retirees leaving the market, describing it as a slow, glacier‑like shift rather than an immediate boom for millennials. Rodriguez also highlights regions where buying remains attractive and points out that the market is becoming slightly more favorable compared to 2022‑23.

    The podcast explores how we buy, what we buy, and why we buy, emphasizing that a house is often the biggest purchase people will make. View the embedded video to hear the full discussion and get practical advice on navigating today’s housing landscape.