We’re early in the home-buying season, which runs roughly from April through September. But even when there’s good news in the housing market, it’s also bad news.
Here’s just one example: “The typical down payment fell to $23,400 in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest level since 2021,” reports Realtor.com.
That sounds like good news, until you realize that five years ago, the median down payment was only $12,500. That’s nearly double, so the “lowest level” is still way too high for most Americans to afford.
Mixed messages
Sometimes the good and bad news show up in the same sentence, like this from a report by Clever Real Estate: “Although the U.S. homeownership rate is currently at the highest level seen in the past two decades at 46.8%, homeownership among Americans under age 30 remains lower than pre-recession levels.”
That’s particularly bad news, because home ownership has powered our economy for generations – and the most recent generation can’t afford it. Look at these dismal home-ownership percentages…
- Baby Boomers – 73.1%
- Gen Xers – 64.8%
- Millennials – 44.1%
- Gen Zers – 4.5%
Concludes Clever Real Estate researchers…
To pull Gen Z’s homeownership rate up to where boomers stand today, an additional 48.7 million Gen Zers would need to buy homes before they turn 65. That is comparable to the entire population of Spain.
I haven’t even mentioned the simplest good-news-bad-news numbers: Mortgage rates fell to 6.36 percent from 6.81% this time last year, according to Freddie Mac. But Redfin says home prices have risen 2.1% from April 2025 to this April.
Clear solution
If you’re shopping for a home, it’s more confusing today than almost any time I can remember. Usually, you can study the numbers and learn if you can afford to buy or need to wait. Nowadays, it’s hard to tell if you’re getting a good deal or a terrible one.
That’s why housing counseling is more important than ever.
Consolidated Credit is part of a national network of nonprofits that offer a slew of programs for motivated but confused homebuyers. We’re certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which allows us to decipher the complex homebuying process. Best of all, calling us for a consultation is free. When is the last time you heard the word “free” when shopping for a home?
