Why do Homeowners Move? Push and Pull Factors in the Movement of Repeat Home Buyers

Abstract

The research for this article used a unique survey data set to examine differences between repeat home buyers who sold homes in the central city versus the suburbs, and who bought homes in the central city versus the suburbs. The literature provided background for the selection of variables reflecting life cycle concerns, flight from blight, race issues, and schools. These independent variables were used in describing the households who made these different moves and in logistic regression models to determine what factors distinguished between the movers. It was concluded that American households sold their homes and moved for similar reasons no matter where the original home was located. However, their reasons for buying in different locations varied significantly. These findings have important implications for housing and for communities ‘efforts to remain or become attractive to homeowners.

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Notes on contributors

Hazel A. Morrow-Jones

Hazel A. Morrow-a ones is Associate Professor, City and Regional Planning, Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture and Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Education, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.