Two recent reports suggest first-time homebuyers in the United States are older than in the past:

In November, the National Association of Realtors reported that the age of first-time buyers has incrementally increased since 2010, when the typical age was 30, to hit a record high of 40. In the meantime, the median age of repeat buyers, those who already own a home and are buying their next home — also hit a record high of 62.

Redfin researchers used a different methodology and found that while the typical home buyer is older than in the past, their average age for a first-time home purchase is 35…

The percentage of home buyers purchasing a home for the first time dropped to 21 percent in 2025, according to NAR, compared with about 40 percent before the Great Recession. Factors in that delay include high home prices, a lack of affordable homes, relatively high mortgage rates and student loan debt.

Another factor is the difficulty saving money for a down payment. First-time home buyers typically make a down payment of 6 percent to 10 percent of the purchase price, but many believe a 20 percent down payment is required.

Even with some broader conversation about the need at a national level to address housing, why aren’t more politicians and leaders tackling this one? Those with power could help provide opportunities for younger adults and potentially receive their votes. Many communities say they want to have housing where their younger adults can stay or young professionals could live but is this actually possible in many places? And what would it take to get there?

To address this would require working with a lot of potential levers. Builders and developers could be smaller and cheaper starter options. Local communities could approve or incentivize units for younger adults. The federal government could help. Consumers could push in particular directions. And so on.

At the moment, the issue appears to keep getting worse and unless there is some major action, my guess is that it will continue to go this way.