[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fbwk2pqjjqsc7":3,"$f1g0nb04c2x243":124},[4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64,68,72,76,80,84,88,92,96,100,104,108,112,116,120],{"id":5,"name":6,"slug":7},1,"Uncategorized","uncategorized",{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},5,"For Buyers","buyers",{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},6,"For Sellers","sellers",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},7,"Foreclosures","foreclosures",{"id":21,"name":22,"slug":23},8,"Infographics","infographics",{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},9,"Home Prices","home-prices",{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},11,"First-Time Buyers","first-time-buyers",{"id":33,"name":34,"slug":35},34,"Senior Market","senior-market",{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},35,"Mortgage Rates","mortgage-rates",{"id":41,"name":42,"slug":43},38,"Move-Up","move-up",{"id":45,"name":46,"slug":47},41,"For Sale by Owner","for-sale-by-owner",{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},42,"Featured","featured",{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},45,"New Construction","new-construction",{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59},52,"Luxury \u002F Vacation","luxury--vacation",{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},53,"Rent vs. Buy","rent-vs-buy",{"id":65,"name":66,"slug":67},80,"Time-sensitive","time-sensitive",{"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71},81,"Outdated","outdated",{"id":73,"name":74,"slug":75},147,"Internal","internal",{"id":77,"name":78,"slug":79},148,"Do Not Autopost","do-not-autopost",{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},320,"Inventory","inventory",{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},321,"Agent Value","agent-value",{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},322,"Affordability","affordability",{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},323,"Buying Tips","buying-tips",{"id":97,"name":98,"slug":99},324,"Downsize","downsize",{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},325,"Economy","economy",{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},326,"Equity","equity",{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111},327,"Forecasts","forecasts",{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},328,"Selling Tips","selling-tips",{"id":117,"name":118,"slug":119},339,"Expired\u002FWithdrawn\u002FCanceled","expiredwithdrawncanceled",{"id":121,"name":122,"slug":123},340,"Price It Right\u002FOverpricing","price-it-rightoverpricing",{"items":125,"totalCount":298,"hasMore":299},[126,145,161,178,195,214,233,249,266,281],{"id":127,"slug":128,"title":129,"description":130,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":133,"bannerImage":131,"body":134,"agentsBottomLine":135,"bodyImage":136,"isInfographic":137,"categories":138,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":143,"updatedAt":144},109379,"down-payments-are-smaller-than-theyve-been-since-2021","Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021","\u003Cp>Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home.\u003C\u002Fp>","","blog","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1492289682-original.png","\u003Cp>Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F27\u002Fthe-truth-about-affordability-today\">affordability\u003C\u002Fa> as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdown-payment-report-may-2026\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Realtor.\u003C\u002Fem>com, the typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026 – that's around $5,000 below what was typical the year before (a 19% drop year over year). \u003Cstrong>That’s\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cstrong>the lowest down payments have been since 2021 \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>(see graph below):\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260702-Down-Payments-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a line graph\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So why are buyers putting less money down, and how can you put less down, too? Here’s your answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Down Payments Are Getting Smaller\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>There are a few things driving the trend:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Less competition between buyers. \u003C\u002Fstrong>Part of it comes down to a more \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Fis-it-still-a-sellers-market-heres-what-the-data-says\u002F\">balanced market\u003C\u002Fa>. With buyers facing less competition than they did a few years ago, there’s less pressure to put a big sum down just to stand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>More moderate home prices.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Your down payment is a percentage of the purchase price. So, as price growth cools, the amount you need to put down may change too. In a lot of markets, prices have \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F29\u002Fthe-1-factor-that-explains-everything-happening-with-home-prices-right-now\u002F\">slowed\u003C\u002Fa> or leveled off, and some areas are even seeing slight dips. That can translate into smaller down payments.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Buyers opting for loans with lower down payments.\u003C\u002Fstrong> More buyers are also turning to government-backed loans, like FHA and VA, which often need little or no money down. FHA loans have made up more than 24% of purchase mortgages for five straight quarters, and VA loans recently hit their highest share in over a decade, according to \u003Cem>Mortgage Professional America\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>But even a smaller down payment is still a significant chunk of cash, and saving it can be hard. So where does the rest come from? For many buyers, two things make the difference: programs built to help, and a hand from loved ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Help You May Not Know You Qualify For\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Down payment assistance is one of the most overlooked tools out there. Looking at the 10 largest U.S. metros, \u003Cem>Urban Institute \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Down Payment Resource\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdownpaymentresource.com\u002Fprofessional-resource\u002Fwhat-data-actually-reveal-on-dpa-loan-quality\u002F\">found\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cstrong>nearly 44% of recent buyers already qualified for a down payment program, but many of them closed on their loan without tapping the help\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cem>(see chart below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260702-Many-Buyers-Qualify-original.png\" alt=\"a diagram of a payment\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The options are broader than you might assume, too. \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdownpaymentresource.com\u002Fprofessional-resource\u002Fdown-payment-assistance-continues-to-expand-in-q1-2026-reaching-2679-programs-nationwide\u002F\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Down Payment Resource\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>There are more than \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdownpaymentresource.com\u002Fprofessional-resource\u002Fdown-payment-assistance-continues-to-expand-in-q1-2026-reaching-2679-programs-nationwide\u002F\">2,600\u003C\u002Fa> down payment assistance programs available\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>More than half (62%) are designed to help first-time buyers\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>38% have no first-time buyer requirement, so you may qualify even if you've owned before\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>62% are open to buyers earning $100,000 or more\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>A Boost from Loved Ones\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>For a growing number of buyers, help comes from closer to home. Research from \u003Cem>Veterans United \u003C\u002Fem>shows about 59% of parents have provided or plan to provide financial support to help their child buy a home.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That support most often goes toward the down payment, followed by help qualifying for a mortgage and covering closing costs. Chris Birk, VP of Mortgage Insight at \u003Cem>Veterans United\u003C\u002Fem>, puts it this way:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“For many families, helping a child buy a home has become less of an optional gesture and more of a practical response to today’s affordability challenges.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>If your loved ones are in a position to help, it can make a real difference in how soon you can buy.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Down payments are smaller than they’ve been in years, and that opens the door for more buyers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And with added help from assistance programs and a little help from loved ones, you may have more ways forward than you realized. Connect with a trusted lender to talk through your options.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260630\u002F20260702-Down-Payments-original.png",false,[139,140,141,142],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-07-02T10:30:00Z","2026-06-30T17:41:58Z",{"id":146,"slug":147,"title":148,"description":149,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":150,"bannerImage":131,"body":151,"agentsBottomLine":152,"bodyImage":153,"isInfographic":137,"categories":154,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":159,"updatedAt":160},108966,"that-house-thats-been-sitting-could-be-your-best-shot-at-a-deal","That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal","\u003Cp>Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260616\u002FHeader-Image-Summer-2023-Guide-30--original.png","\u003Cp>Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually gets.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better Deals\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F27\u002Fthe-truth-about-affordability-today\u002F\">affordability\u003C\u002Fa> has been your #1 hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you finally get your foot in the door. Start with the homes that have been sitting the longest. That’s often where the best deals are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s why. Data from \u003Cem>Realtor.com \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\">shows\u003C\u002Fa> there’s a connection between longer time on the market and lower sales prices. \u003Cstrong>Basically, the longer a house sits, the more likely it is that the seller will reduce the price \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>(see graph below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260616\u002F20260622-The-Longer-original.png\" alt=\"a graph with numbers and lines\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The blue line tracks how long homes stay on the market, while the green line tracks the share of homes getting a price reduction. As one climbs, so does the other.  \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if you focus on these homes that are just sitting and waiting, the opportunity for you is bigger than you may think right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem> data shows there’s $347 billion worth of stale listings on the market right now – more than ever before for this time of year. So, ask your agent to filter listings for you from oldest to newest. The home that fits your budget might already be there. Just further down the list than you thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Lingering Doesn’t Always Mean Something’s Wrong \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Let’s say you do that and something catches your eye. Still, you might be questioning why the home has been sitting in the first place. Just remember, sometimes it has nothing to do with the home itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to \u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem>, common causes are:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>The asking price was set too high to start\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>The home didn’t show well online\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>There are a lot of homes for sale in the area, so it just got buried\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>So, nothing that’s necessarily a dealbreaker, or even anything that’s wrong with the home itself. If there’s a real issue, a thorough inspection will surface it. And that’s information you can use to negotiate. Not a reason to assume it’s a house worth skipping over.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>How To Turn a Lingering Listing into a Win\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>So how do you capitalize on a lingering listing? According to \u003Cem>USA Today\u003C\u002Fem>, you have \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usatoday.com\u002Fstory\u002Fsponsor-story\u002Faddress-usa\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F22\u002Fa-home-thats-been-sitting-could-be-a-buyers-best-opportunity\u002F90164351007\">two main levers\u003C\u002Fa> to pull.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The first is \u003Cem>price\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Work with your agent to study what comparable homes recently sold for, then build an offer around that. Coming in below asking price is fair game when a home has been sitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The second is \u003Cem>concessions\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If a seller won’t budge much on price, they may still help in other ways, like covering some closing costs, repair credits, or even a mortgage rate buydown that lowers your monthly payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A local agent has the context to tell which homes are the real opportunities and which are skippable.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>A house sitting on the market isn’t always a glaring red flag. In today’s market, it may be your best opportunity yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For help deciding which lingering listings are actually worth a second look, let’s connect.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260616\u002F20260622-The-Longer-original.png",[155,156,157,158],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-06-22T10:30:00Z","2026-06-16T17:32:01Z",{"id":162,"slug":163,"title":164,"description":165,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":166,"bannerImage":131,"body":167,"agentsBottomLine":168,"bodyImage":169,"isInfographic":137,"categories":170,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":176,"updatedAt":177},108614,"could-moving-a-bit-further-out-change-everything-about-your-budget","Could Moving a Bit Further Out Change Everything About Your Budget?","\u003Cp>Whether you're dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260603\u002FHeader-Image-Reasons-to-Own-2023-29--original.png","\u003Cp>Whether you're dreaming about buying your \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fthink-you-have-to-put-20-down-most-first-time-homebuyers-dont\u002F\">first home\u003C\u002Fa> or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind. Home prices are still high in many markets, and even though things have improved a bit over the past year, making the numbers work can still feel like a stretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But the people finding ways to move right now usually have one thing in common. They didn't wait for \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F27\u002Fthe-truth-about-affordability-today\u002F\">affordability\u003C\u002Fa> to come to them. They went looking for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to \u003Cem>PODS\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Cstrong>61% of people across all generations\u003C\u002Fstrong> say affordability is the biggest factor when deciding where to move. And it's led a growing number of people to do one thing – broaden their search to include more affordable areas they hadn't seriously considered before. As \u003Cem>PODS\u003C\u002Fem>, put it:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\". . . moving is increasingly driven by affordability, connection, and quality of life. As economic pressures persist, Americans are taking a more intentional, values-driven approach to where they choose to live.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>It’s Not Just the Home Price – It’s the Whole Cost of Living\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here's where it gets really interesting. When people talk about moving for affordability, they're not just talking about finding a cheaper house. They're thinking about the full picture. What does it actually cost to live somewhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>WalletHub\u003C\u002Fem> looked at exactly this, measuring housing costs as a share of median monthly household income across every state (\u003Cem>see map below\u003C\u002Fem>).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Take a look at where you live on that map. The lighter the blue, the more affordable it generally is to live there. The darker the blue? Just the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260603\u002F20260608-Where-People-Spend-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If your state is showing up on the darker blue end of the scale, the \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F07\u002Fcould-co-buying-be-the-answer-for-some-first-time-buyers\u002F\">cost of living\u003C\u002Fa> may be putting a real pinch on your wallet, and it may be worth exploring what a lighter-blue area could mean for your finances.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Because if you're less financially stretched, imagine how that could change things. Less stress. Less worry. More freedom and peace of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>You Don't Have To Move to Another State To Find a Better Deal\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>But finding more affordable homeownership doesn't have to mean a cross-country move. It doesn't even have to mean leaving your state, your family, or your favorite coffee shop behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Every market has more affordable pockets that most buyers never think to explore – neighborhoods, towns, and communities where home prices are lower, property taxes are more manageable, and the overall cost of living just works better.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>A great local real estate agent knows exactly where those places are.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if you work remotely, or have any flexibility in where you're based, your options open up even further. Remote work has already changed the way millions of people think about where to live, and that trend isn't going away.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When location stops being tied to a daily commute, a more affordable area that's a bit farther out suddenly becomes a very real option.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Affordability is a real challenge, but it's not an unsolvable one.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The key is being open to places you might not have considered before. A local real estate agent can help you find them.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Ready to find out which areas have the best affordability right now?\u003C\u002Fstrong> Reach out today.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260603\u002F20260608-Where-People-Spend-original.png",[171,172,173,174,175],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-06-08T10:30:00Z","2026-06-03T15:38:31Z",{"id":179,"slug":180,"title":181,"description":182,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":183,"bannerImage":131,"body":184,"agentsBottomLine":185,"bodyImage":186,"isInfographic":137,"categories":187,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":193,"updatedAt":194},108413,"less-house-more-home-why-smaller-homes-are-paying-off-for-todays-buyers","Less House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers","\u003Cp>You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260528\u002FHeader-Image-20221114-original.png","\u003Cp>You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s the reality for a lot of buyers right now. Affordability is tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But don’t let that discourage you. Going smaller might actually be a smart play in today’s market – and the upside can be bigger than you'd think. Let’s break down two places to look where smaller won’t necessarily feel like a compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Homebuilders Are Focused on Smaller Options Lately\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>For starters, smaller is kind of on trend right now. Newly built homes have been shrinking for years. According to the \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.census.gov\u002Fconstruction\u002Fnrc\u002Fpdf\u002Fquarterly_starts_completions.pdf\">latest data\u003C\u002Fa> from the \u003Cem>Census\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Cstrong>the median square footage of new single-family homes has been falling overall since 2014\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cem>(see graph below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260528\u002F20260601-Newly-Built-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph showing a line of a house\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Why? Builders focus on the types of homes consumers want the most. After all, they want to build what will actually sell. And for the past decade, buyers seem to agree \u003Cem>less is more.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Especially right now, when affordability is a key concern, they’re building homes with smaller square footage than a decade ago. And that’s good because that may be more within budget for many buyers. It’s part of why new home prices recently hit a \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F21\u002Fnewly-built-home-prices-hit-a-5-year-low\u002F\">5-year low\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>So, if you’re not getting excited about any of the existing options at your price point, it may be time to check out what builders are doing in your area.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You may find brand-new options you really love with all the latest and greatest features. And if you’ve got modern appliances and design, maybe slightly less square footage doesn’t feel like that much of a compromise anymore, especially if the house is move-in ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Condos Are Opening Up Another Path\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Just in case you don’t have a ton of new builds in your area, another avenue worth exploring is condominiums or condos.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For buyers crunching numbers to make the math work, condos can take real pressure off the budget. \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2026-05\u002Fehs-04-2026-condo-co-op-2026-05-11.pdf\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR), \u003Cstrong>the median price for condos is less than the median for single-family homes in every region \u003C\u002Fstrong>(\u003Cem>see graph below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260528\u002F20260601-Affordability-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a number of blue and green bars\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Part of that is because condos are typically smaller. And smaller square footage can come with a smaller price tag too. That's a selling point to affordability-strapped buyers right now – and it’s one of the reasons we’re seeing a bump in condo sales.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The number of condos sold rose 2.7% from just a month ago. It’s also up year over year, according to \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.census.gov\u002Fconstruction\u002Fnrc\u002Fpdf\u002Fquarterly_starts_completions.pdf\">NAR\u003C\u002Fa>. Ali Wolf, Chief Economist for \u003Cem>New Home Source\u003C\u002Fem>, explains why more buyers are going this route:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“In addition to favoring smaller floor plans, more consumers are showing a willingness to live in an attached home. This shift is not driven by a preference for shared walls, but by a pursuit of value.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Community Does Some of the Heavy Lifting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here’s why smaller may still work for you. Whether it’s a condo complex or a neighborhood of detached single-family homes, the right community can give you back in amenities what you trade in square footage.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Many developments are designed so the home is just one piece of where you actually spend your time. Master-planned communities often include walking trails, pools, fitness centers, co-working spaces, and outdoor gathering areas – the kind of features that pick up where your floor plan leaves off.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>No room for a dedicated office? The co-working space might be just a five-minute walk away. Want a place to work out? It's already built in with the shared gym. And features like that can make opting for a smaller footprint feel less like a compromise – and more like a big lifestyle upgrade.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Today’s smaller single-family homes and condos have more going for them than the square footage suggests. They can give your budget some breathing room and put you in a community designed with lifestyle in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Curious about the options in our area? Let's connect.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260528\u002F20260601-Newly-Built-original.png",[188,189,190,191,192],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-06-01T10:30:00Z","2026-05-28T19:11:01Z",{"id":196,"slug":197,"title":198,"description":199,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":200,"bannerImage":201,"body":202,"agentsBottomLine":203,"bodyImage":204,"isInfographic":137,"categories":205,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":212,"updatedAt":213},107879,"newly-built-home-prices-hit-a-5-year-low","Newly Built Home Prices Hit a 5-Year Low","\u003Cp>If you’ve always assumed a newly built home is just not in your budget, you should know the math just got a little friendlier.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260514\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1765760671-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260527\u002FSTM-Banner-GettyImages-1765760671-original.jpg","\u003Cp>If you’ve always assumed a newly built home is just not in your \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">budget\u003C\u002Fa>, you should know the math just got a little friendlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The median sale price of a newly built home is now at its lowest level since 2021, according to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.census.gov\u002Fconstruction\u002Fnrs\u002Fdata\u002Fseries.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">latest data\u003C\u002Fa> from the \u003Cem>Census\u003C\u002Fem>. And on top of that, builders are still rolling out incentives to bring buyers through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here's what's happening, and what it means if you're shopping right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Prices on Newly Built Homes Have Come Down\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>After a steep climb during the pandemic years, prices have eased a bit. The median sale price of \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fmove-up-buyers-are-choosing-new-construction\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">newly built homes\u003C\u002Fa> is sitting at about $390,000. \u003Cstrong>That’s the lowest it's been in nearly five years\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cem>(see graph below):\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260514\u002F20260521-Newy-Built-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260514\u002F20260521-Newy-Built-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a home prices\">\u003C\u002Fa>While local markets vary, the national trend is moving in your favor, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. According to \u003Cem>Zonda\u003C\u002Fem>, prices in the entry-level price range have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fzondahome.com\u002Fnew-home-market-update\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">dropped\u003C\u002Fa> roughly 2.7% over the past 12 months – more than any other price tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That doesn't mean every home in every market is suddenly affordable. But it does mean that, broadly, you’ll see the best prices on \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F09\u002Fwhy-townhomes-are-popular-with-todays-first-time-buyers\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">new builds\u003C\u002Fa> since 2021, if you’re buying now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why This Isn’t a Repeat of 2008\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And just in case you’re thinking it, lower prices don't mean the new home market is in trouble. Builders today are being intentional about how much inventory they have, so it doesn't pile up the way it did in \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F12\u002Fare-builders-overbuilding-again-lets-look-at-the-facts\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">2008\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you look back up at the graph, you’ll see that even after the recent improvement in new home prices, they’re still higher than pre-pandemic norms. So, this isn’t a crash. It’s a builder strategy to keep inventory moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Homebuilders Are Still Sweetening the Deal\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Lower sticker prices aren't the only break buyers are getting. According to the \u003Cem>National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Cstrong>60% of builders are currently offering some form of \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nahb.org\u002Fnews-and-economics\u002Fhousing-economics\u002Findices\u002Fhousing-market-index\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>incentive\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> to attract buyers\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Those typically include:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Help with closing costs:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Some builders are covering thousands of dollars in fees to reduce the upfront cost of buying.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Extra upgrades:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Think premium finishes, appliance packages, and designer features, often added at no extra cost.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Mortgage rate buydowns:\u003C\u002Fstrong> When the builder pays to lower your mortgage rate, which reduces your monthly payment.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Price cuts:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Over one in three builders (36%) are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nahb.org\u002Fnews-and-economics\u002Fhousing-economics\u002Findices\u002Fhousing-market-index​\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">cutting prices\u003C\u002Fa> right now, averaging about 5% off list price \u003Cem>(see graph below):\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260514\u002F20260521-Many-Builders-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260514\u002F20260521-Many-Builders-original.png\" alt=\"a blue and grey pie chart\">\u003C\u002Fa>That last point catches a lot of buyers off guard – most assume that builders won’t budge on price.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But builders need to move what they've built. That's a different mindset than a homeowner deciding whether to budge on price. So, you may find they’re more open to adjusting the price than you’d think. As Joel Berner, Senior Economist at \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, puts it:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\". . . \u003Cem>many existing-home sellers resort to taking down their listing instead of taking less than their desired price, but builders are more motivated to sell their inventory than owner-occupants\u003C\u002Fem> . . .\"\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>And if you use the version of the graph that shows 2008 prices, you can even reference that in this explainer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if here, should I change the last sentence of the lede?\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Builder incentives and lower new home prices are working to your advantage in a way they haven't in years. Want to see what's available in your area and what kind of deal a builder may be willing to make? Let's connect.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260514\u002F20260521-Newy-Built-original.png",[206,207,208,209,210,211],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-05-21T10:30:00Z","2026-05-14T06:04:15Z",{"id":215,"slug":216,"title":217,"description":218,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":219,"bannerImage":220,"body":221,"agentsBottomLine":222,"bodyImage":223,"isInfographic":137,"categories":224,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":231,"updatedAt":232},107868,"are-home-prices-going-to-fall","Are Home Prices Going To Fall?","\u003Cp>It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: “\u003Cem>What if I buy, and home prices go down?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260513\u002FHeader-Image-20230123-Blog-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260527\u002FSTM-Banner-20230123-Blog-original.jpg","\u003Cp>It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: “\u003Cem>What if I buy, and home prices go down?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>With everything in the news, that concern makes some sense. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the \u003Cem>wrong \u003C\u002Fem>time. But here’s what’s important to know. You don’t want to get hung up on the few places seeing slight declines right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When you zoom out and look at the full picture, \u003Cstrong>home prices usually rise over time.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What the Data Really Shows\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Take a look at the visual below. It uses \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.spglobal.com\u002Fspdji\u002Fen\u002Findex-family\u002Findicators\u002Fsp-cotality-case-shiller\u002Fsp-cotality-case-shiller-composite\u002F#news-research\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from\u003Cem> Case-Shiller \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Bilello \u003C\u002Fem>to show how \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F01\u002Fdont-let-home-prices-headlines-fool-you\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">home prices\u003C\u002Fa> have changed year by year going all the way back to the 1950s.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s the key takeaway.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Outside of the housing crash, home prices have either held steady or increased in just about every year for decades\u003C\u002Fstrong> (\u003Cem>see visual below\u003C\u002Fem>)\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>:\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260513\u002F20260518-Home-Prices-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260513\u002F20260518-Home-Prices-original.png\" alt=\"a chart of percentages and numbers\">\u003C\u002Fa>That’s a remarkably consistent track record. And it shows something a lot of headlines miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>While short-term shifts can happen, it’s the long-term gains that really matter.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Prices Tend To Rise Over Time\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>There are a few core reasons prices usually go up each year:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>There are always people who need to move.\u003C\u002Fstrong> People need a place to live, and that demand will never fully go away. It may ebb and flow, but someone will always have to move as big changes happen in their life. So, homes \u003Cem>stay \u003C\u002Fem>in demand.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>There still aren't enough homes for sale.\u003C\u002Fstrong> While the number of homes for sale has grown, nationally there’s still an undersupply based on how many people want a home. That keeps upward pressure on prices.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Inflation has an impact.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Over time, the cost of goods (including homes) naturally increases. That pushes home values higher.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What That Means for You as a Buyer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>It’s easy to get caught up in what might happen with home prices next month or next year, especially if you’re a \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F20\u002Fthe-10-best-markets-for-first-time-buyers-this-spring\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">first-time buyer\u003C\u002Fa> and you’re feeling a little anxious about making such a big financial commitment. But the big picture is clear. Prices usually rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That doesn’t mean prices will go up \u003Cem>every \u003C\u002Fem>single year in every market. Real estate is local, and there can be short-term ups and downs. We’re seeing that in \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F23\u002F3-things-that-are-not-going-to-happen-in-todays-housing-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">some places\u003C\u002Fa> right now. You can even see it in the few annual dips in the visual above.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But historically, \u003Cstrong>the declines have been temporary.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why it’s generally recommended to buy a home only if you plan to stay for a while – typically \u003Cstrong>at least five years\u003C\u002Fstrong>. That’s normally enough time to see your house grow in value. And, it’s enough so you can ride out any short-term changes in the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Because when you can do that, something powerful happens. Those rising home values grow your \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F16\u002Frent-or-buy-the-real-tradeoff-most-people-dont-talk-about\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">net worth\u003C\u002Fa>, and by extension, help you build wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The right decision isn’t about timing the market perfectly. It’s about making a move that works for your life and staying in it long enough to benefit from the bigger trend.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Home prices have a long track record of going up over time. And that’s why buying a home is generally considered a safe long-term investment.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That certainly doesn’t mean you have to buy now. You should only move when it makes sense, and you plan to live there for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But if you’re interested, let this reassure you. If you want to talk through what home prices are doing in our market, your goals, or your timelines, let’s have a quick conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260513\u002F20260518-Home-Prices-original.png",[225,226,227,228,229,230],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},"2026-05-18T10:30:00Z","2026-05-18T10:30:12Z",{"id":234,"slug":235,"title":236,"description":237,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":238,"bannerImage":131,"body":239,"agentsBottomLine":240,"bodyImage":241,"isInfographic":137,"categories":242,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":247,"updatedAt":248},107458,"could-co-buying-be-the-answer-for-some-first-time-buyers","Could Co-Buying Be the Answer for Some First-Time Buyers?","\u003Cp>For a lot of would-be first-time buyers, affordability is the thing that’s standing in the way.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002FHeader-Image-pg-19-original.png","\u003Cp>For a lot of would-be \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2025\u002F07\u002F14\u002Fthe-advice-first-time-homebuyers-need-to-hear\u002F\">first-time buyers\u003C\u002Fa>, affordability is the thing that’s standing in the way. But some buyers are getting creative and finding a way to still make the numbers work – and that’s through \u003Cstrong>co-buying\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Dream Is Still Alive. The Math Just Isn’t Working for Everyone.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Young people haven’t given up on the dream of \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F25\u002Fturning-a-house-into-a-home-the-benefits-you-can-actually-feel-1\u002F\">owning a home\u003C\u002Fa> – not even close. According to \u003Cem>FirstHome IQ\u003C\u002Fem>, homeownership still ranks among the top life goals for the next generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The problem? \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnextgenhomebuyer.com\u002Freports\u002F2026\">\u003Cstrong>73%\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> of Gen Z and millennial buyers cite affordability as the reason for not making homeownership a priority.\u003C\u002Fstrong> And it shows. First-time buyers now make up just \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fresearch-and-statistics\u002Fresearch-reports\u002Fhome-buyer-and-seller-generational-trends\">\u003Cstrong>21%\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> of all home purchases\u003C\u002Fstrong>, the lowest share since the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR) started tracking the data in 1981.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But still, some buyers are making it happen. And a portion of them are turning to co-buying to get their foot in the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>So, What’s Co-Buying?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Co-buying\u003C\u002Fstrong> means purchasing a home with someone else, like a friend, sibling, or unmarried partner. You combine incomes, split the down payment, and share monthly costs. For some people, it’s a creative way to turn “someday” into a concrete move-in date that’s just around the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And it's catching on fast, just look at where things stand today. According to \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer dofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cobuy.io\u002Fblog\u002Fcobuying-coowning-home-2026-report?from=2025_report\">\u003Cem>CoBuy.io\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>, 64 million Americans now co-own a home with someone they’re not married to. In fact, \u003Cstrong>31.5% of home purchases involve co-buyers\u003C\u002Fstrong> (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260507-Nearly-1-in-3-original.png\">Why It Works\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here are just a few of the top reasons buyers are going this route, according to \u003Cem>NerdWallet\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Quicker path to homeownership:\u003C\u002Fstrong> If owning a home is a serious goal for you, buying with someone else can help make that reality on a shorter timeline. Two or more people can save up a down payment a lot faster than one. That’s less time waiting and more time building equity in a place that’s yours.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>More purchasing power:\u003C\u002Fstrong> With multiple incomes going toward the home purchase, you might be able to afford a nicer home or live in a more popular neighborhood. Sometimes teaming up means getting the home you actually want, not just the one you can barely afford on your own.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Easier loan qualification:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Added income from more than one buyer can also help with your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which the lender will calculate based on all the borrowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Lower housing costs:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Splitting up a mortgage payment multiple ways could maybe even make owning less expensive than \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F25\u002Frenting-vs-buying-the-numbers-might-surprise-you\u002F\">renting\u003C\u002Fa>. Plus, sharing costs can make repairs or renovations more manageable, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Things To Keep in Mind\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If you’re considering going this route, there are some things you’ll want to think over. For starters, co-buying works best with people you trust and share financial goals with. So, before moving forward, make sure everyone agrees on how costs are split, who handles what, and what happens if one person wants to sell down the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why a written co-ownership agreement can be a smart move. It keeps everyone on the same page and helps avoid headaches down the line. Think of it less like a legal formality and more like a game plan for your new investment.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Affordability challenges are real, but they don't have to mean waiting indefinitely. Co-buying is helping some first-time buyers stop waiting and start putting down roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you're curious whether it could work for your situation, let's talk. \u003Cstrong>Reach out today and let's figure out your path to homeownership together.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260507-Nearly-1-in-3-original.png",[243,244,245,246],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-05-07T10:30:00Z","2026-05-07T10:30:04Z",{"id":250,"slug":251,"title":252,"description":253,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":254,"bannerImage":255,"body":256,"agentsBottomLine":257,"bodyImage":258,"isInfographic":137,"categories":259,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":264,"updatedAt":265},106972,"think-you-have-to-put-20-down-most-first-time-homebuyers-dont","Think You Have To Put 20% Down? Most First-Time Homebuyers Don’t.","\u003Cp>According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002FHeader-Image-Spring-2021-Seller-Guide-11--original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260429\u002FSTM-Banner-Spring-2021-Seller-Guide-11--original.jpg","\u003Cp>According to \u003Cem>Google Trends\u003C\u002Fem>, online \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftrends.google.com\u002Fexplore?q=down%2520payment%2520for%2520a%2520house&date=all&geo=US\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">searches\u003C\u002Fa> for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move \u003Cem>(see graph below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-Searches-for-Down-Payment-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-Searches-for-Down-Payment-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a line graph\">\u003C\u002Fa>If you’re wondering the same thing, you can always turn to the internet for answers. But a lot of the time, it’s better to ask a local expert. Because here’s what a pro would tell you.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The 20% Down Payment Myth\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>The idea that you need 20% down to buy a home is one of the biggest misconceptions around the homebuying process. And the data debunks the myth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>While there are benefits to putting that much money down, most first-time buyers put down far less.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s why. Unless it’s stated by your lender, you typically don’t \u003Cem>have \u003C\u002Fem>to have a 20% down payment. There are even some loan options designed to help you get into a home with a much smaller upfront cost. As \u003Cem>the Mortgage Reports\u003C\u002Fem> explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“The amount you need to put down will depend on a variety of factors, including the loan type and your financial goals. If you don’t have a large down payment saved up, don’t worry—there are plenty of options available, and \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>you don’t need to put down the traditional 20% \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>. . . \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>many homebuyers are able to secure a home with as little as 3% or even no down payment at all\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> . . .\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hud.gov\u002Fhelping-americans\u002Floans\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">FHA\u003C\u002Fa> loans allow down payments as low as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usa.gov\u002Fgovernment-home-loans\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">3.5%\u003C\u002Fa>, while \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.va.gov\u002Fhousing-assistance\u002Fhome-loans\u002Floan-types\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">VA\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rd.usda.gov\u002Fprograms-services\u002Fsingle-family-housing-programs\u002Fsingle-family-housing-guaranteed-loan-program\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">USDA loans\u003C\u002Fa> offer zero down payment options for qualified applicants, like Veterans.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And those options are just one reason so many first-time buyers are able to buy without a 20% down payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Buyers Are Actually Putting Down\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>So, if buyers aren’t doing 20%, how much do they actually put down?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fresearch-and-statistics\u002Fresearch-reports\u002Fhighlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR),\u003Cstrong> the median down payment for first-time homebuyers is only 10%. That’s half of what you probably expected.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-The-Median-Down-Payment-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-The-Median-Down-Payment-original.png\" alt=\"a diagram of a pie chart\">\u003C\u002Fa>That means if you’re aiming to save 20% because you think you have to, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary.\u003Cstrong>  \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And here’s some more good news. It’s not only that you may be able to buy with less money down than you thought, but there are also options to help you get to your down payment goal even faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why You Should Look into Down Payment Assistance Programs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>There are a lot of programs designed to help you save for a down payment – and they can make a big difference in how fast you hit your savings target. Unfortunately, buyers don’t realize how many there are, or that they may qualify for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Research from \u003Cem>Realtor.com \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002Fp\u002FC8VIz8ns2_F\u002F?img_index=6\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">shows\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cem> \u003C\u002Fem>almost \u003Cstrong>80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance (DPA), but only 13% actually use it\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cem>(see chart below)\u003C\u002Fem>: \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-Most-First-Time-Homebuyers-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-Most-First-Time-Homebuyers-original.png\" alt=\"a blue and orange pie chart\">\u003C\u002Fa>And that’s another big miss holding would-be buyers like you back.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In the U.S., there are over \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdownpaymentresource.com\u002Fhomebuyer-resource\u002Fknow-your-programs-an-overview-of-the-three-most-common-homebuyer-assistance-programs-2\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">2,600\u003C\u002Fa> homeownership programs available, many offering significant financial support. As \u003Cem>Down Payment Resource \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdownpaymentresource.com\u002Fprofessional-resource\u002Fdown-payment-assistance-hits-record-high-in-q3-2025-with-2624-programs-and-counting\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">shares\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>“\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>With an average benefit of $18,000, down payment assistance (DPA) remains one of the most essential tools for addressing the nation’s affordability challenges.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> Programs continue to expand in scope, serving a broader range of incomes, property types and borrower needs, including first-generation, military and repeat buyers.\u003C\u002Fem>”\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Imagine how much further your savings could go with an extra $18,000 you can use to buy. In some cases, you may even be able to stack multiple programs, giving what you’ve saved an even bigger boost.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>The simple truth is: \u003Cstrong>most first-time buyers don’t put 20% down\u003C\u002Fstrong>. And if you’ve been waiting to buy until you have that saved, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>To find out what you really need to save and if you qualify for any help, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through your options. You may be able to buy sooner than you thought.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260423\u002F20260427-Searches-for-Down-Payment-original.png",[260,261,262,263],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},"2026-04-27T10:30:00Z","2026-04-27T10:30:22Z",{"id":267,"slug":268,"title":269,"description":270,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":271,"bannerImage":131,"body":272,"agentsBottomLine":273,"bodyImage":274,"isInfographic":137,"categories":275,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":279,"updatedAt":280},106543,"the-10-best-markets-for-first-time-buyers-this-spring","The 10 Best Markets for First-Time Buyers This Spring","\u003Cp>For a while, buying your first home hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1179026119-original.png","\u003Cp>For a while, buying your \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F18\u002F3-must-dos-for-first-time-home-buyers\u002F\">first home\u003C\u002Fa> hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not because you weren’t \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>ready\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not because you weren’t \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>trying\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But because every time you ran the numbers, they \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>didn’t work\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why so many first-time buyers stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>But after years of sitting on the outside looking in, this Spring could give \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>buyers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> like you an opening again – especially in some markets.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Metros Where Buyers May Have an Easier Time Breaking into the Market\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Zillow \u003C\u002Fem>just released a list of the top 50 metros for first-time buyers this Spring. And here’s a quick snapshot of the top 10 (\u003Cem>see chart below\u003C\u002Fem>): \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260420-Top-10-Markets-original.png\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260420-Top-10-Markets-original.png\" alt=\"a table with white text and black text\">\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, in these top-ranked markets, median-income households can afford \u003Cstrong>68% of all homes for sale\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Let that sink in.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not long ago, it felt like you could barely afford \u003Cem>anything\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, you may actually have \u003Cem>some\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Cem>options \u003C\u002Fem>again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>That doesn’t mean every home is suddenly going to fit your budget. \u003C\u002Fstrong>But it does mean the door that felt closed for so many buyers is starting to crack back open. And in a number of cities, first-time \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\">buyers\u003C\u002Fa> may finally be getting a shot at \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F25\u002Frenting-vs-buying-the-numbers-might-surprise-you\u002F\">buying\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why This Is Starting To Open Up\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>These cities are rising to the top not because of any one big change, but from a few smaller ones finally lining up. As Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>First-time buyers are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>Affordability is still a challenge, but rising incomes, stabilizing prices and improving inventory are creating real opportunities in parts of the country. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>In the strongest markets for first-time buyers, they'll find more choices, less competition and a clearer path to homeownership than they've had in years\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Basically, three big things are working in your favor:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>More homes are hitting the market. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> says inventory is up \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fmarch-2026-data\u002F\">8.1%\u003C\u002Fa> compared to last year. That gives\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>you more choices, less pressure, and more chances to find a place that fits your budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Price growth is moderating,\u003C\u002Fstrong> so homes aren’t moving further out of reach as quickly. Some may even be falling back within your target price point.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Incomes are rising.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If you make more money, that can offset some of the affordability challenges too.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>And even though mortgage rates have been higher lately, that combination can still make a difference. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at \u003Cem>First American\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>,\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.firstam.com\u002Feconomics\u002Faffordability-reached-best-level-since-2022-in-january%E2%80%8B\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Income growth has outpaced house price growth for 19 straight months, boosting house-buying power even as mortgage rates remain elevated.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>How To Find the Opportunities in Your Local Market\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>But what if your city didn’t make the top 10 list, or even the top 50 markets? Here’s what you really need to remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>There’s going to be opportunities in \u003Cem>every \u003C\u002Fem>market, if you know where to look.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Even in the same city, two buyers can have completely different experiences. And a big part of that is who they choose as their partner. The right agent knows how to find pockets of opportunity in \u003Cem>any \u003C\u002Fem>market. That could mean:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A neighborhood where prices haven’t climbed as quickly\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A part of town with more inventory, or\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fmove-up-buyers-are-choosing-new-construction\u002F\">new build\u003C\u002Fa> community offering incentives so builders can sell their inventory\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>So, even if your city didn’t make the list, that’s okay. There’s still an opening for you, you just need your agent to help you find it.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>For a long time, first-time buyers have felt stuck, waiting for their turn to buy. But for some buyers, this Spring might be the first time in a while where things start to feel more within reach again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Want to see which neighborhoods could give you the best shot at buying right now? Let’s talk.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260420-Top-10-Markets-original.png",[276,277,278],{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},"2026-04-20T10:30:00Z","2026-04-14T20:25:26Z",{"id":282,"slug":283,"title":284,"description":285,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":286,"bannerImage":287,"body":288,"agentsBottomLine":289,"bodyImage":290,"isInfographic":137,"categories":291,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":296,"updatedAt":297},106535,"rent-or-buy-the-real-tradeoff-most-people-dont-talk-about","Rent or Buy? The Real Tradeoff Most People Don’t Talk About","\u003Cp>You’ve probably asked yourself lately: \u003Cem>Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now?\u003C\u002Fem> It’s a question a lot of people are asking.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002FHeader-Image-Spring-2021-Buyer-Guide-9--original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260429\u002FSTM-Banner-Spring-2021-Buyer-Guide-9--original.jpg","\u003Cp>You’ve probably asked yourself lately: \u003Cem>Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now?\u003C\u002Fem> It’s a question a lot of people are asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F25\u002Frenting-vs-buying-the-numbers-might-surprise-you\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">renting\u003C\u002Fa> can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s what \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">each choice\u003C\u002Fa> does for your future.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Depending on your situation, renting does have some advantages:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Lower upfront costs.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Less responsibility.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>More flexibility to move when you want.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>But even with those benefits, a \u003Cem>Bank of America\u003C\u002Fem> survey found \u003Cstrong>70% of aspiring homeowners worry about what long-term renting means for their future.\u003C\u002Fstrong> And that concern comes down to one thing: you’re not building anything for your future. As \u003Cem>Yahoo Finance \u003C\u002Fem>explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Paying rent doesn't build equity. You get a place to live, but no ownership stake, no price appreciation, and no asset to leverage for future borrowing or investment\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>So, while renting may feel easier, the flexibility you get comes at a cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>How Homeownership Builds Your Wealth Over Time\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>On the other hand, owning a home is one of the most consistent ways people build wealth over time. Why? When you’re a homeowner, you gain something called \u003Cstrong>equity\u003C\u002Fstrong>. That’s the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That equity grows with every monthly payment you make. It also gets a boost as home values go up through the years – and it adds up quicker than you may think.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Today, the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR) says the\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cstrong>average homeowner’s net worth is\u003Cem> \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fin-the-news\u002Fhomeowners-are-43-times-wealthier-than-renters-realtor-com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>43X greater\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> than that of a renter:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260416-Homeowner-Net-Worth-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260416-Homeowner-Net-Worth-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a number of people\">\u003C\u002Fa>The dollars in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fin-the-news\u002Fhomeowners-are-43-times-wealthier-than-renters-realtor-com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">the visual\u003C\u002Fa> don’t lie. On average, here’s how net worth compares:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Homeowners: $430k\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Renters: $10k\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>And it’s not because homeowners make wildly different decisions day to day. \u003Cstrong>It’s because over time, one path builds something, and the other doesn’t.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So sure, buying comes with some upfront costs and more responsibility. But it’s basically a savings account you can live in.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Gap Is Growing Over Time\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And here’s something else interesting. \u003Cstrong>That net worth gap between renters and homeowners has been widening over time, not shrinking.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you look back at the reports on net worth through the years, you can see the gap is growing as homeowners gain wealth and renters stay stuck in the rental trap (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260416-The-Gap-Between-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260416-The-Gap-Between-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of green and blue bars\">\u003C\u002Fa>Even in 2025, when home prices were moderating, homeowners still gained even more ground. And that tells you something important:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>When you can afford it \u003Cem>and \u003C\u002Fem>you’re ready for the responsibility, history shows buying is usually worth it in the long run. Because either way, you’re paying for someone’s mortgage and building someone’s net worth.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When you rent, it’s your landlord’s mortgage – \u003Cem>not yours\u003C\u002Fem>. But when you buy? Your monthly payments help build equity.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The question is: \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>whose do you want to pay? Yours or theirs?\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>So, Should You Buy a Home Now?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>The short answer is, it depends on your situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While the long-term benefits of buying are clear, that doesn’t mean the timing is right for everyone right now. And that’s okay. You should only buy a home once you’re ready and the numbers work for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But whether you’re looking to buy now or planning for the future, the first step is the same. You should have a quick conversation with a local real estate agent about your goals, timeline, and budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They can help you run the numbers and see what’s realistic. You may find buying is closer than you thought. And if not, you’ll at least know exactly what it will take to get there.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Because the sooner you have \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F31\u002Fnot-sure-if-youre-ready-to-buy-a-home-ask-yourself-these-5-questions\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>a plan\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>, the sooner you can decide when it makes sense, instead of wondering if it ever will.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Renting may feel more do-able today. But over time,\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cstrong>it could cost you\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you want to ditch renting and start building something for your future, it starts with a simple conversation. Let’s connect, talk about your specific goals, and explore your options – so you’re ready when the time is right for you.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260416-Homeowner-Net-Worth-original.png",[292,293,294,295],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},"2026-04-16T10:30:00Z","2026-04-16T10:30:18Z",1262,true]