Owning versus Renting a Home—Prospects for Generation Z

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

First of all, I would like to congratulate for the article. Please find my comments / suggestions below:

1. lack of visual data representation

Incorporating charts, graphs, and infographics to visually represent key findings could enhance the readability and impact of the article. Visual data representation can help convey complex information in an accessible manner, making the research findings more engaging to a wider audience.

2. Methodological limitations are missing

While the methodological approach is sound, providing a clearer discussion of its limitations, such as sample size considerations, the potential for response bias, or the generalizability of the findings, could strengthen the research's credibility. Acknowledging limitations is crucial for contextualizing the results and guiding future research directions.

3. Concept of home ownership in Poland

Exploring the psychological and emotional dimensions of what "home" means to Generation Z could provide deeper insights into their preferences. The concept of home extends beyond economic or material considerations, encompassing feelings of belonging, security, and identity. Engaging with these dimensions could offer a more holistic view of housing preferences.

4. Deeper analysis on economic factors

While economic considerations are mentioned, a deeper analysis of the economic factors influencing housing preferences, such as income levels, employment stability, and the impact of financial crises, could enrich the discussion. This could include an examination of how economic policies and conditions influence Generation Z's perceptions of housing security and investment.

5. Policy implications need further analysis

The discussion on policy implications is compelling but could be further expanded. Specifically, suggestions for policy interventions or innovative housing models that align with Generation Z's preferences and mobility needs would be beneficial. Discussing specific policy mechanisms, such as incentives for the development of the rental market or regulatory reforms to ensure tenant protections, could offer actionable insights for policymakers.

6. Other recommendations

I would expand the comparative analysis on other countries. I would also incorporate longitudinal of follow-up studies especially as Gen Z enters different life stages.

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript.

We agree with the comments made. The comments have been taken into account in the revised version of the article (marked in yellow).

Yours sincerely

Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Baryła

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors State the originality, research gaps, academic, practical and policy contributions of the paper. [44,61,62,63,64, 65] what are these? Please state what do these say for each of these. ‘Na start’ is on principle more beneficial for families with more children, what is this? Add a research model instead of using bar chart which is too simple. Add discussion section before conclusion. I rent because I can't afford to buy real estate, I rent because I don't want to take out a long-term mortgage etc sounds  Generation impact on housing tenure choice is not  new, the authors may include a comparison to other generations' results to Generation X and Y’s demand for homeownership in Hong Kong, Pacific Rim Property Research Journal 21 (1), 15-36 How to find the people young adults, aged 22- 249 26 years, representatives of Generation Z Why this group of students The questionnaire was addressed to students of the Faculty 268 of Economics at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn? Can the results be generalised? What are these students' families background? This can affect the results. The survey was conducted in 291 Olsztyn, a medium-sized town (172,000 inhabitants) situated in north-eastern Poland. If they are students, they have no money to buy the house, so, why did you select this group? Is that a wrong choice? Comments on the Quality of English Language

Polish English

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript.

We agree with the comments made. The graphical version of the study was left in the first version because we concluded that it better reflects our findings. 
Other comments have been taken into account in the revised version of the article (marked in green).
Yours sincerely

Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Baryła

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Having read this manuscript, I find it relevant but I also think it needs very minor improvements in the abstract and citation expressions (in some parts). The two main concerns are presented below.

Abstract – the current abstract is all over the place and needs to be written to clearly identify clearly critical aspects of the paper. It needs to be properly structured to reflect (1) the orientation on the subject, (2) the need for the subject (goal or objective), (3) the methodology or methods used, (4) the results and (5) conclusive statement.

Literature – In lines 77-80 the use of personalities or scholars “Karl Mannheim” and “W. Dilthey” is difficult to grasp without proper citation. Wherever the author has done this in the manuscript (directly using names), there should be a need to cite clearly and directly for referencing purposes.

Overall the manuscript is publishable pending these issues. I find the grammar understandable and the mistakes are very minor. More issues exist in the punctuations. I encourage the authors to improve on these by doing further tight editing.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

I find the grammar understandable and the mistakes are very minor. More issues exist in the punctuations. I encourage the authors to improve on these by doing further tight editing.

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript.

We agree with the comments made. The comments have been taken into account in the revised version of the article (marked in blue).

Yours sincerely

Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Baryła

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors should add modelling. The method is too simple.

Why generation Z? Do they really have money to buy a home?

What happen to Table 1?

Table should contain less words.

Tell more about what have been researched in the housing market: Have housing prices gone with the smelly wind? Big data analysis on landfill in Hong Kong, Sustainability, 2018

Citation like [24,25,26,27,28 should expand and tell what happen to these.

What is ‘residential capitalism’?

279, please provide the formula citation.

Reliablity of the questionaire should be tested: Factors influencing large real estate companies' competitiveness: a sustainable development perspective T Wareewanich - Land, 2021

Line 313, 41% (22% definitely) would opt for the purchase of a home? 41 or 22?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Polish English.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

Thank you very much for your comment and suggestion.

All changes and corrections are marked in pink in the text.

1) A model has been added.

2) We are exploring the preferences of Generation Z. We recognised that economics students have theoretical knowledge of real estate and housing, hence the sampling. We recognise that their plans may not necessarily materialise right after graduation.

3) Some of the respondents were already owners, having received a flat from their family (usually a donation from their parents or an inheritance).

4) We used suggested citation.

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In conclusion, . In this paper, an attempt has 558 been made to determine housing preferences of young people, about to graduate from 559 university, and belonging to Generation Z. State why this generation is studied for home purchase.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Copy edit it.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

Thank you very much for your comment and suggestion.

• All changes and corrections are marked in dark green in the text.
• The text has been proofread by a native speaker.

Round 4

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Table 2 needs to be clearer. What kind of correlation between x and y?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

NA

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript.   The comments have been carried and marked in red in the article.   Yours sincerely   Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Baryła