r/HouseBuyers

In 1985, the average home cost 3.5x the median income. Today it's closer to 6x. In some markets, 7x. And here's what nobody is saying clearly enough: 65% of U.S. households cannot afford a median-priced home in 2026. Not the unemployed. Not just the poor. Two thirds of all American households — priced out of the median home in their own country. The numbers that explain how we got here: — Income rose roughly 10x since the 1980s — Shelter costs rose 17x — The mortgage lock-in effect has frozen supply — Renters at the bottom are left with just $210/month after housing costs — a record low This isn't a personal finance problem. It's a structural outcome. I put together a full breakdown of exactly how this happened, who benefited, and what the data actually shows. [link do vídeo] Curious what people here are experiencing in their own markets — are these numbers matching what you're seeing locally?

Other than school rankings, what other criteria do you use?

Hi all, looking for some advice. Married couple based in Brooklyn, NY.

My wife and I recently found a condo that we really like and we definitely can see living there for about 5-10 years. Property taxes are a little above than normal, but it is something that we had to just accept especially us living in NY state.

I am putting most of the down payment but I was wondering if it’s wise to take some money out of my stock brokerage to contribute to the down payment. I understand that events like these it’s what your stocks are used for, however, I am curious about how much taxes will I need to pay for selling a decent amount and if its better to take out a loan for the downpayment and use my stocks as collateral so that I avoid taxes from IRS.

I’m not sure how this second method works to be honest, but would love to hear anyone’s experience with selling some of your stock to use for your down payments and how hefty your tax bill was when you filed for that year or next.

***First time homebuyer here, definitely am curious to hear y’all’s approach***

Despite the woes with NJ Transit the Northern NJ market remains on tear.

I am trying to get a sense of what is happening. I have been looking at houses with serious intention to purchase and with funds ready and have looked at homes in a range from $450-$700,000. I have seen a lot of houses at the top end of my budget that will require work or at least basic changes like removing 1970s carpets and cabinets.

I'm losing patience and not a lot of new stuff is coming on right now. How long is the longest you have waited to find the right house, and were you glad you waited?

As a foreigner I cannot own in PH. I pay 15k/m to rent a house where I live with my girlfriend, who is re-training and I pay for her university fees. She is 43.

Is it possible she can get a pag-ibig loan and buy a house? I will give her the 15k/m to cover the repayments. The title is obviously in her name.

The reasoning here is, by renting, the 15k is lost to me but if it is in her name and she re-sells the house in 4-5 years, property prices go up and she makes a little profit after paying back the loan.

The stats suggest 40% of households rent, if that 80% want to buy.

Do thry want to buy because they feel with the prices increasing they dont want to muss out?

If we had no house price growth in past decade , would the same % want to buy?

In my costings , with not cap gain , it is more expensive to buy than rent , especially with a 5% deposit.

So with 0 cap gain you would be worse off as you either would have less assets or had a lower cost lifestyle if you purchased.

Sure security is a thing, but so is unexpected bills like maintenance and repairs.

Someone who put 20% down would’ve had an 85% annual return. Crazy.

Oh really? So is this why these companies don’t need sign twirlers (HDs) anymore? I wonder who is buying these homes. In close circles, I was told that a foreign company bought out a community that one of my son’s was work as a HD. I bet that’s what’s happening. They buy them & then rent them out . Ppl will be paying the same amount as they would if they were paying a mortgage. Crazy! 😡

The next few years are going to be lit as radical-left DSA candidates unseat the Democratic Party's corporate stooges in cities like NYC. Slogans are one thing; actually governing will be another. As the billionaires scurry to tax-friendly states, homeowners will be low-hanging fruit for the tax man in these socialist utopias. Got popcorn?

So is this sub just a bunch of Realtors trying to pounce on people looking for a home and arguing about home prices?

Not seeing many homebuyers…

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, investor, or first-time buyer, what’s the one thing you’d change about today’s housing market if you could? It could be home prices, mortgage rates, zoning laws, inventory, property taxes, commissions, or something else entirely. Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts.