Demand Springs Back for Winter Deals, But First-Time Homebuyers Vanish
On The Market
Are First-Time Buyers Disappearing?
Henry introduces NAR data showing first-time buyers fell to 21% and median first-time buyer age rose to 40.
We’re only a week away from winter, but the housing market is heating back up. Demand is rising as savvy buyers know that lower prices peak during the holiday season. But one crucial cohort is nowhere to be found…and it could have damaging consequences for the housing market as a whole.
We’re back with another headline episode, taking the biggest stories from the housing market and giving our takes so you can make the best investing decision possible. This winter is feeling warmer for housing as demand does what no one expects—increases during the seasonally slow period of the year. What’s causing it—lower rates, FOMO, or something else entirely?
Remember when people in their 20s used to buy houses? Well…not anymore. The new first-time homebuyer age reached a worrying new high, one that many of us couldn’t even believe. DSCR loan defaults are starting to tick up, doubling from this time last year. Is this a bigger deal than many think, and could it bring discounted investment properties to the table?
Finally, Dave shares a sneak peek at BiggerPockets’ newest investor survey, where investors share what they think is coming in 2026…and there’s a lot to be excited about.
In This Episode We Cover
The new median age of America’s first-time homebuyers (borderline alarming)
Why housing demand is going up during the (traditionally) slowest time of the year
Delinquencies rising for DSCR loans? Why investors are defaulting twice as much as last year
A year of optimism: surprising finds from BiggerPockets’ newest investor sentiment survey
The #1 best strategy investors are betting on for 2026
And So Much More!
Links from the Show
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BiggerPockets Real Estate 1210 - 2026 Home Price Predictions: The Correction Continues?
Articles from Today’s Episode:
Grab the Book "Real Estate by the Numbers"
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/on-the-market-381
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