🏡 Here’s What You Should Know (Keepin' it Real!)

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, you might be wondering:

“Am I the right age for this? How old is the typical first-time homebuyer these days?”

It’s a great question — and the answer may actually make you feel better about your own timing.

According to the most recent 2025 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the median age of a first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old.

That’s right: 40.
Half of first-time buyers are younger than that, and half are older.

So if you’re entering the market later than you once expected, you’re not alone — far from it.

📈 Why Are First-Time Buyers Older Today?

The rise in age didn’t happen by accident. NAR’s research points to several major factors influencing when buyers feel ready (or able) to purchase their first home:

1. Home prices have gone up faster than incomes.

Saving for a down payment takes longer than it used to — especially when rent, groceries, and everyday expenses are higher too.

2. Mortgage rates have increased.

Higher rates mean higher monthly payments, which can make buyers pause or wait until their financial picture improves.

3. Younger adults are carrying more debt.

Student loans, car loans, and credit card debt can slow down your ability to save.

4. There aren’t enough “starter homes” on the market.

Inventory is low nationwide, and competition is intense. Many first-time buyers spend months — or even years — searching before they finally land a home.

Put simply:
Buying your first home in your late 30s or early 40s has become the new normal.

🧭 What This Means for You If You’re Buying Your First Home

Whether you're 27 or 47, here’s the good news:

✔️ You’re not “behind.”

The data shows most first-time buyers today aren’t purchasing in their 20s or early 30s anymore.

✔️ You’re probably more financially prepared than you think.

Many first-time buyers at this age have stronger incomes, more stability, and a clearer understanding of what they want.

✔️ You can shop confidently knowing you’re in good company.

With first-time buyers representing just 21% of all buyers in the latest NAR report (a historic low), anyone entering the market for the first time now is doing so in a challenging environment — and succeeding.

🌊 A Cape Cod Perspective

On Cape Cod especially, where prices and competition can be higher than the national average, the trend is even more pronounced.
Many first-time buyers purchase:

• Later in life

• With clearer long-term goals

• And with an emphasis on value, lifestyle, and location

This means the homes you're considering now may be exactly the kinds of homes other first-time buyers your age are also targeting.

🏠 Bottom Line: Your Timing Is Right for You

The average age of a first-time homebuyer in 2025 is 40 years old, according to NAR.

If you’re thinking of entering the market now — whether you’re younger, older, or right around that median age — you’re part of a growing wave of buyers who are doing the same.

The key is to get guidance that aligns with your goals, your finances, and the community you want to call home.