When a Tennessee woman called The Ramsey Show to ask when she and her boyfriend should buy a house, hosts Ken Coleman and George Kamel hit the brakes fast. The couple lives in her parents’ home, the boyfriend’s truck loan is nearly as big as some mortgages and a baby is arriving in days (1). Must Read On the surface, the caller wanted insight into timing, affordability, and next steps, but the real story wasn’t about investing in real estate planning for Coleman and Kamel. It was about priorities, matu ...

Buying your first home at 40 doesn’t make you late. It just means you’re part of the new normal. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median age for first-time buyers hit a record 40 in 2025 (1). Must Read Even more concerning, NAR estimates that delaying a first home purchase until age 40 rather than age 30 could cost you about $150,000 in lost starter-home equity (2). What’s going on? Traditionally, first-time homebuyers were in their late 20s or early 30s (1, 2). But the cl ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Buying a house is supposed to be the "smart" move. The milestone. The box to check so you can stop "throwing money away" on rent. At least that's the message one woman says she's been hearing nonstop from her family. But after staring down the real cost of a 6.5% mortgage, she's not feeling all that financially free. She shared her thoughts in a post to r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer that cut straight to the point: ...

Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of the American dream. It symbolizes independence, financial security and prosperity — but is it a dream worth chasing? Real estate investment guru Grant Cardone seems conflicted. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cardone said, “The average mortgage today is double the rent in America (1).” Must Read He went on to say that you’d have ...

Socioeconomic Challenges - The presentation addresses the broken promises to younger generations regarding financial stability and homeownership, leading to widespread uncertainty [3][4][5] - Real estate values have increased significantly (e.g., houses from $100,000 to $500,000, apartments from $30,000 to $100,000), while salaries have not kept pace, making housing unaffordable [7][8] - In Quito and Guayaquil, the average salary can afford less than 1 square meter of property, highlighting the difficulty of purchasing homes [10] - Only 11% of individuals under 35 in Latin America can access mortgage loans, limiting homeownership opportunities [15] - The cost of raising a child from 0 to 18 years is estimated between $150,000 to $300,000, making parenthood a high-risk decision [17] Demographic Shifts - Ecuador's population is aging, with a projected shift in 2050 towards a larger older population and a smaller younger base, impacting social security [19][20] - The fertility rate in Latin America in 2023 was 69% lower than in 1960, indicating a significant decline in the number of children per family [21] - 72% of millennials prefer having pets over children, reflecting changing priorities and economic realities [22] Labor Market Dynamics - 43% of young people in Latin America work in the informal sector, lacking job security and access to credit [28] - The rise of artificial intelligence poses a threat to white-collar jobs, potentially increasing unemployment [24][25][26] Generational Wealth and Social Issues - Millennials have 20% less wealth than boomers, partly due to the dilution of inherited wealth [30][31] - One in four young people in Latin America reports symptoms of anxiety and depression, linked to societal failures and economic pressures [35] Call to Action - The presentation emphasizes the need for collective action to rewrite the social contract and create a more equitable world for future generations [40][41][42]

Brett, 40, dreams of buying a home, but he’s starting to wonder if that goal is still achievable. He has been saving diligently for a down payment for eight years, and while his nest egg has grown, he’s questioning whether he made the right choices about what he’s saving for — and how. It’s a familiar question for anyone pursuing homeownership in recent years. The housing market has been hot, and mortgage rates have climbed considerably. Brett worries that instead of saving, he should have been investin ...

Core Insights - Homeownership remains a strong priority for many Americans despite current housing market challenges, with 71% of respondents indicating that market conditions have delayed their plans but not deterred them from pursuing homeownership [1][3][4] Group 1: Market Conditions and Buyer Sentiment - 88% of buyers plan to purchase a home in 2026, yet 71% report that current market conditions have caused delays in their homebuying timeline [3][5] - Economic uncertainty and rising costs are significant factors influencing prospective buyers, with affordability being a critical concern [4][5] - More than three-quarters (78%) of buyers would be prompted to buy within the next six months if home prices were more affordable [5] Group 2: Buyer Preferences and Community Focus - Buyers are increasingly prioritizing neighborhood safety, social connection, and access to lifestyle-enhancing amenities, indicating a shift towards homes that support both lifestyle and financial goals [2][4] - 60% of respondents are willing to pay a premium for shared community amenities, with 76% of these buyers willing to pay 5% or more of the home's price for such features [5][9] - A strong sense of community is becoming a key factor in purchasing decisions, especially among younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials [6][9] Group 3: Geographic and Lifestyle Considerations - Over half (51%) of respondents are looking to buy a home in suburban areas, while 32% prefer urban locations [9] - Safety is a top concern for nearly 80% of prospective homebuyers, followed by the availability of affordable homes (69%) and the type of homes available (47%) [9] - Proximity to work, shopping, and schools are also important geographic considerations for buyers, with 58% indicating that proximity to work is crucial [9]

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LGI Homes, Inc., one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, has launched its Year-End Savings National Sales Event. Now through December 31, 2025, homebuyers can take advantage of significant savings, exclusive financing opportunities, and move-in-ready inventory across LGI Homes and its luxury brand, Terrata Homes. This sales event provides an opportunity for families to secure a brand-new home before the end of the year. LGI Homes is offering exceptio ...

Core Insights - A couple in their late 20s is taking on a $560,000 mortgage with a $4,038 monthly payment, which is half of their net income of $8,100 [1][2] - They have minimal savings left after a 20% down payment, with only $5,000 remaining for unexpected expenses [2][5] - The couple's long-term financial plan relies on an expected income increase of at least $50,000 from the wife's PhD completion [4] Financial Situation - The couple's combined income is $146,000, with only a $90 student loan and a $220 car payment as debts [2] - Monthly expenses, including mortgage, insurance, taxes, and HOA fees, are straining their budget [2][5] - After routine spending, they have about $1,000 left each month, which may not cover unexpected repairs [5] Property Details - The townhome is 1,800 square feet, located near a metro stop, and has multiyear warranties [3] - Similar homes in the development are listed for up to $1.2 million, making their $700,000 purchase competitive [3] Future Considerations - The couple plans to wait several years before having children, depending on the wife's income increase [4] - The employer contributes 21% to their retirement account, which could serve as an emergency option if needed [4] Community Feedback - Commenters express concern about the couple's financial tightness, noting that the monthly payment is a significant burden [6] - Suggestions include being conservative with spending until the anticipated income increase occurs [6]

A steep rise in other housing-related costs, such as insurance, utilities, and property taxes, is making homeownership even more unaffordable for Americans. https://t.co/peDaLUCy8L ...