The group of mostly 20-somethings we met with in Seattle this week were either in the process of buying a home, fixing up the home they have purchased, looking for one or looking forward to starting the search. 

Despite very real concerns about their jobs and the economy, these women felt they needed to press on because of the expectations and timelines they had set for themselves.  Even a long-term relationship that may turn into marriage wasn’t enough to hold one woman back.  “I’ve certainly talked about this at length with my boyfriend and family,” she said.  “But I figure when I do get married we can either sell one of our places or rent it out.”

All admit that in addition to self-imposed pressure, societal pressures are always there.  Turning 30 is a big deal.  “Being 29 was a big deal to me because it was my last year to be twenty-anything,” said one woman.  

Career success.  Marriage.  Kids.  Home ownership.  Travel.  These and other goals topped their list of what they hoped to have by the time they reached their 30s.  But as one woman said, “My father told me you can’t have everything all at one time, but you can have everything at different times.”

If only marketers can figure out what comes when in a woman’s life, they’ll have it made!