A recent study from Realtor.com reveals that the location of a homebuyer's mother significantly impacts purchasing decisions. Nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) have moved or are planning to relocate themselves or their mother to be closer together, according to data released on Monday.

The study found that 14% of respondents have already moved closer to their mother or maternal figure, while 15% intend to do so. Additionally, 10% said their mother has moved nearer to them, and 8% indicated their mother plans to follow suit. Some families even chose to live under one roof, with 20% of participants moving in with their mother, and 13% having their mother move in with them.

This trend emerges as high housing costs discourage many potential buyers and sellers. Hannah Jones, a senior economics research analyst at Realtor.com, noted that moving closer to family can help reduce expenses, "either because the area is less expensive or because family can help with childcare, which reduces childcare costs."

Pooling resources or living together enables families to afford a larger home or a better location in today's challenging market. "With elevated home prices and mortgage rates, every little bit helps when affording a home purchase," Jones explained.

A report by Clever Real Estate emphasizes this challenge, revealing that 44 out of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas lack affordable home prices for median-earning households. Despite the median list price holding steady, rising costs per square foot and high mortgage rates mean that home prices continue to outpace wage growth. In most cities, even with a 20% down payment, the median local income isn't sufficient to afford a median-priced home, making it crucial for families to explore alternative living arrangements.