13 FLAGS THAT CAN MAKE OR BREAK A DEAL IN REAL ESTATE

How much does a specific flag hanging in a neighborhood affect the homebuyer’s decision to purchase the home? You’d be surprised. 

According to a recent Redfin survey, there are 13 different flags that make an impact on U.S. homebuyer decisions. The reason? People want to be in neighborhoods with likeminded people—and flags are a clear sign of what others believe in.

The report focused on the answers from 1,256 respondents likely to buy a home in the next year. Let’s take a look at the findings. 

UNITED FRONT

American flags are most likely to draw in homebuyers, with 44.8% reporting that seeing an American flag would make them more likely to make an offer on a home. This group of respondents was the highest ‘more likely’ among others, followed by Black Live Matters flags (35.7%) and pro-choice flags (34.8%). 

DEAL BREAKER

Nearly half of the homebuyers surveyed (47.7%) said seeing a confederate flag in the neighborhood would make them less likely to buy a home. This result from the survey was the highest ‘less likely’ of all 13 flags asked about. 

THE DIVIDE

When asked about seeing a Gadsen (“don’t tread on me”) flag, respondents were the most divided. Of those surveyed, 25.6% said seeing one would make them more likely to make an offer, while 26.8% said it would make them less likely. 

Responses also varied when asked about anti-gun flags, with 29.7% more likely to make and offer vs. 27.5% less likely to make an offer, and Second Amendment flags (30.3% vs. 27.3%). 

PRIDE FLAGS

Responses on LGBTQ pride flags were somewhat split down the middle, with 29.5% more likely to make an offer when seeing a rainbow flag in a neighborhood, and 22.3% saying it would make them less likely to submit an offer. Roughly half (48.2%) said it would not impact their decision. 

The results differed by political preference and age. Democrats and younger people preferred to live in an LGBTQ area, while more than one-third of Republican respondents living near an LGBTQ flag would turn them away from buying the home. 

Gen Z respondents, who made up 37.9% of the survey, were most likely to make an offer with a rainbow flag in the neighborhood, while only 17.7% of Baby Boomers were likely to make an offer. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

The presence of flags in a neighborhood can impact a homebuyer’s decision more than you might expect. These findings underscore the increasing importance of shared values and a sense of community in the home buying process, as buyers seek out neighborhoods that align with their beliefs and aspirations.