Due to ongoing instability in the real estate market, many people
that might at one time have bought homes as young adults are choosing to forgo such purchases in favor of living in rented accommodations.
(A) that might at one time have bought homes as young adults
Incorrect. That is not used to refer to humans.
Who should be used instead of
that.
(B) that as young adults might once have bought homes
Incorrect. That is not used to refer to humans.
Who should be used instead of
that.
(C) who might once have bought homes in young adulthood
Correct. This statement correctly uses who to refer to humans. Also, the use of
once before the point of reference (young adulthood) is proper in this statement which suggests that they bought homes once in young adulthood .
(D) who in young adulthood might have at one time bought homes
Incorrect. The use of
at one time implies a faulty meaning that all people might have bought house at one same time.
(E) who, when they were young adults, might at one time have bought homes
Incorrect. The use of
at one time implies a faulty meaning that all people might have bought house at one same time.