Homeownership is becoming an increasingly distant dream for young Americans, with new 2025 data revealing the median age of first-time buyers has reached a historic high of 40. Soaring housing prices, mortgage rates nearing 7%, and dwindling inventory are creating what economists call a "perfect storm" for delayed entry into the property market.
In Seattle, where home prices have risen 12% this year alone, prospective buyers like 38-year-old teacher Emily Chen now rely on multi-income partnerships. "My partner and I pooled savings with two college friends just to afford a 10% downpayment," Chen told KhabarAsia. This trend reflects nationwide data showing 44% of 2025 first-time buyers used co-buying strategies.
Analysts attribute the shift to stagnant wage growth against 6.8% annual inflation and student debt burdens averaging $37,000 per borrower. The Federal Reserve's recent rate hikes aimed at cooling inflation have paradoxically made mortgages less accessible while doing little to slow price growth in competitive markets.
