Nov. 10, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Amy Stockberger Real Estate.

By Amy Stockberger

If it feels like everyone buying their first home is older these days, you’re not wrong. According to the 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of REALTORS®, the median age of first-time homebuyers hit 40 this year, the highest on record.

That’s the oldest median age we’ve ever seen. Just two decades ago, that number was closer to 30.

The same report shows that first-time buyers now make up only 21 percent of all home purchases, the lowest share ever recorded — historically, it has been about 40 percent.

So what’s causing this shift? And more importantly, what can you do about it if you feel like you’re being left behind?

Let’s get into it.

Housing market’s growing divide

While the share of first-time buyers is getting smaller, repeat buyers — those selling one home to buy another — continue to dominate. They’re older, have more equity and often don’t need financing at all. In fact:

• The median age of repeat buyers is 62, an all-time high.
• Almost 30 percent of repeat buyers paid all cash, compared with just 8 percent of first-time buyers.
• Repeat buyers made a median down payment of 23 percent, while first-timers managed 10 percent, which is the highest since 1989.

That combination of cash and equity makes it tough for first-timers to compete, especially in markets where homes still sell close to the asking price — buyers so far this year typically paid 99 percent of the list price.

Affordability is the top roadblock.

With home prices still high, mortgage rates bouncing around and many buyers carrying student loan debt, a lot of people are hitting the pause button on homeownership. Even though some markets have softened a bit, monthly payments are still intimidating.

Many buyers feel stuck renting longer than they want to.

And that’s a huge part of the delay. If you’re locked into a lease, it can feel impossible to break free. That’s why we created our Lease Buyout Program. If you’re ready to own but stuck renting, we’ll help you get out of that lease so you can start building wealth instead of just paying someone else’s mortgage.

Saving for a down payment is harder than it used to be.

Between rising living costs and inflation, setting aside thousands of dollars for a down payment isn’t always realistic. But here’s the thing — waiting longer doesn’t always help. The market keeps moving. What helps? Having a team who knows how to negotiate, tap into programs and guide you through creative solutions that keep your money in your pocket.

Now there’s even talk of 50-year mortgages.

Yep, seriously. A recent HousingWire article shared that there’s a proposal to introduce 50-year mortgage options as a way to make housing more affordable. But industry expert Logan Mohtashami had this to say:

“I understand that we have housing affordability challenges in America, but subsidizing more demand from 30- to 50-year mortgages is not the policy we want to take now. So I am not a fan of any increase in amortization. The 30-year fixed is perfectly fine as is.”

In other words, longer mortgages aren’t a magic solution. They might help with monthly payments, but they slow down equity growth and could end up costing buyers more in the long run.

So what should you actually do if you’re feeling priced out?

Start by surrounding yourself with the right people and systems. That’s what we built our entire model around.

When you work with Amy Stockberger Real Estate, you get way more than just help finding a house. You get access to:

• Our VIP Club, which includes free moving trucks, trailers, moving supplies, party and tool rentals, climate-controlled storage and thousands in local and national discounts.

• Our hand-picked Home Support Team partners who are ready to help with everything from painting to plumbing, with preferred pricing and faster service.

• Our Love It or Leave It Guarantee — if you buy a home with us and realize it’s not the one within 12 months, we’ll sell it for you for free on our side.

All of this is part of our Lifetime Home Support model. We built this system to take care of you not just during the transaction, but for life.

Bottom line?

Yes, the median age of first-time homebuyers is getting older. But you don’t have to wait. You just need the right plan, the right tools and the right team behind you. We’ve helped thousands of clients buy smarter, save more and feel confident every step of the way.

Let’s make 2025 the year you stop renting and start owning. We’ve got your back.

Spotlight your business in our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

This year, we’re making gifting as easy as possible for our clients while supporting local businesses at the same time. Our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide will highlight our favorite local shops, makers and service providers — giving our community an easy button for thoughtful, local gifting.

If you want your business included, follow me here and DM me “Guide” today. Spots close Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Check out my guide to selling a home this winter.

Looking to buy or sell a home? Visit Amy Stockberger Real Estate here.

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