First-time home buyers are getting older. Click here to watch the 2 Minute TV Aired Video Story.
by: Nabil Remadna KXAN News
Posted: Apr 16, 2026 / 04:58 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 16, 2026 / 06:20 PM CDT
AUSTIN (KXAN) — How old were you when you bought your first home?
According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical age of first-time home buyers climbed to an all-time high of 40-years-old this year. Last year, the age was 38-years-old, and about five years ago the age was 33.
As time goes on, first-time buyers are getting older and older, which means many people are losing out on building equity in a home.
Garrett Derkaz is in his mid 30s and bought a home last November. He said he’s only one of few of his friends who own a home.
“More of my friends from school and things like that who are my same age, maybe one or two of the say, 10 or 15, have houses,” said Derkaz.
It’s a trend Austin-based Real Estate Broker George Vance McGee has noticed too. He works for Austin Silent Market.
“The cost of an actual home in Austin is quite pricey,” he said.
According to the Austin Board of Realtors, the median home price in Austin is about $550,000, which is down from the almost $600,000 last year, but it’s still a lot of money.
“There are not many starter homes in Austin. They just don’t exist,” said McGee.
“That entry level 2-1, 3-1 home with a white picket fence and a price point at $350,000 — they are just quite rare.”
McGee said if you do find something in Austin, it could end up needing a lot more work, which could cost you even more. He suggested looking in areas you can afford outside Austin so you can build equity.
“Buy them, own the property, build some equity and perhaps sell and move back into town,” McGee said.
McGee said buying with a spouse or partner can also help your chances of owning a home. Derkaz said that helped him a lot.
“Obviously it completely changes the equation, double the income is double the income, right,” Derkaz said.
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