In 2025, the median down payment for first-time homebuyers was 10% — the highest median since 1989, according to the National ...

First-time homebuyers are typically defined as those entering the market who’ve never owned a home. However, anyone who has not owned a home for the last three years also qualifies as a first-timer.

In 2024, the median first-time homebuyer was 38 years old, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report. Factors including low inventory, wealthy ...

Note: You have reached the most recent version of this quarterly NerdWallet analysis. Previous quarters’ reports are available at the bottom of this page. Buying a ...