Transition to Homeownership Among Immigrant Groups and Natives in West Germany, 1984-2008

Abstract

The present article analyzes transitions to homeownership among immigrant groups and natives in West Germany over a 24-year period from 1984 to 2008. Using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (GSOEP), we find that everything else being equal, Turks, ex-Yugoslavians, Southern Europeans, and Eastern Europeans do not display any differences in transitions into homeownership. Immigrants from wealthy Western countries and native Germans possess similar and higher transitions into homeownership. Factors exhibiting a positive effect on transitions to homeownership include years since migration, marital status, age, income, and education.