Waiting until fall won’t make homes more affordable, but here’s what will

In six years, the income needed to afford a median-priced American home has nearly doubled to over $120,000. Mortgage rates are expected to stay near 6.5% with home prices continuing to rise slowly, making waiting for a market drop unlikely to help buyers. Many overestimate down payment requirements; typical first-time buyers put down 6-9%, with low or zero down payment options available. Preparation and understanding true costs are key to affordability, not timing.