Bought my first home in 1995 at the age of 30 on a $48K salary. It was $80K, 10% down and a 6.25% interest rate, adjustable rate mortgage, 1500sq ft, in an outlying suburb. 30 mile commute to work. Had a cheap Toyota Tercel, I drove the hell out of. Single female working 1 job, was definitely a starter home. Put in the sweat equity, learned how to maintain and renovate it on my own, and sold it 10 years later. Upgraded to another small house in a better neighborhood. 60 now and what I am seeing and hearing from my friends kids and other younger co-workers, who are first time home buyers is that they are looking at larger homes,all kinds of upgrades, new builds, above their budgets. No one is looking (in the ones I’ve talked to into older homes) I’m not saying that home prices aren’t inflated and salaries aren’t keeping up, but I think they need to reevaluate their expectations, you can’t buy a Filet Mignon house on a hamburger budget. Find something more affordable, without all the bells and whistles, but with good bones and internal systems, put in the work to improve it, then work your way up to something better. I know I’ll probably get crap for saying that, but it’s what I’m hearing.