Key Takeaways The housing market has become a challenging environment for individuals seeking to purchase their first home. And in 2026, conditions don't look like they will improve much. High housing costs and interest rates have served as a barrier for many looking to buy a house, but especially those looking to buy their first home. In fact, National Association of Realtors data showed that just 21% of homes sold in the period between July 2024 and June 2025 went to first-time homebuyers, the lowest July ...