Gen Z faces challenges with punctuality in homebuying and workplace

Gen Z homebuyers are entering the market, but a tendency to be late could hinder their success. Detroit real estate agent Hunter Schattler shared an experience where his Gen Z client missed out on purchasing a house due to tardiness. The client arrived 45 minutes late for a showing, and the seller, upon learning about the client's troubled past, decided not to sell.

Schattler emphasized the importance of punctuality: “Show up on time,” he said. “If my client had done that, he would have the house.” He noted that acting swiftly in a competitive market is crucial to avoid regret.

This issue isn't limited to homebuying. A survey by Intelligent.com revealed that 75% of managers are hesitant to hire recent college graduates from Gen Z due to lateness and other concerns. "Many recent college graduates may struggle with entering the workforce," said Huy Nguyen, Intelligent’s chief education and career development advisor.

Nearly half of America's 68 million Gen Zers plan to buy a home in the next five years, according to Realtor.com. Despite challenges like high mortgage rates and prices, 87% of Gen Z still see homeownership as part of the American Dream.

Bianca Fabian, co-founder of PR agency Command Collective, learned firsthand about the fast-paced housing market when she was house hunting in Long Island. After losing out on one house due to timing issues, she and her husband began arriving early for showings and eventually secured their dream home.

Real estate agents stress punctuality's importance in maintaining professional relationships. Cara Ameer noted that being late can disrupt lives and schedules behind each property for sale. Ben Jacobs and Jessica Chestler from Douglas Elliman also highlighted how chronic lateness can harm reputations and working relationships.

“There’s a saying that is sadly true: ‘Time kills all deals,’” Chestler remarked.