Is the Pope Catholic, Will? And not just price increases, it's lack of inventory in affordable homes.

Not because of pricing but, because of the painfully low inventory. So far, none of my buyers have been pushed out of the market due to rising prices.

Charlotte prices are going up but, we're not seeing 'bubble-busting' increases like some areas are experiencing.

 Not with interest rates this low.

Not in my area Will Hamm 

Yes. Many of them will continue to rent.

Always but especially now. Flexibility is quite important. 

That's always been the case & saving for down payment.

No, in fact it is just the opposite. We've had three clients sign contracts today and several this past week. 

Will, we're seeing it here. It's coupled with the rising interest rates. Had a first timer that was pre-approved for $450k and then rates increased so it went down to $425k. Tough on them but, at the same time we have more first time buyers in the pipeline that we have the past 4 years. 

Plenty of starter homes available, not everyone has to buy a new home at the edge of town.

Homes are still affordable here in Delaware, and most of the state is USDA eligible. Working with a client now buying a home for $80,000. Another one at $250,000. So there's a wide range of homes available at good prices, but the inventory is low, so we're seeing more buyers lean towards new construction.

Yes homes here are expensive to start with and to qualify for a mortgage is getting a lot hard too.

Can't say I've noticed Will Hamm as I'm more of a Sellers agent these days. That being said I am surprised at the number (good sized) of first time home owners purchasing the new homes in the development I'm representing.

Yep. 

It is not just first time home buyers that are challenged buying a home in my area.  All buyers without an extra $1M in cash to throw at a property are challenged. 

We do not have a problem with high prices it is a problem that there are few to no homes for sale in some areas

I find it harder for them based off of the current market with its lack of homes. Not to mention the sought out areas prices are beginning to place a squeeze on those with a firm purchase ceiling. 

Absolutely.  Our first time home buyers are having to move to outlying communities in order to purchase.

No not really, but we really do not get the first time homeowner market. Lots of turn over from the Mine. 

not here.... homes in the mid to high $300k range will sell for over list price on the first day on the market.... it's brutal.

The prices are still realistic around here.  Just lack of inventory.  Some buyers are coming in way over asking knowing that there are multiple offers.  Sometimes they appraise out, some don't, but at least they got the home.

Sometimes. Even with down payment assistance programs, it's still hard for some.

These high tech buyers twenty something got rich parents..... 

Will Hamm - you bet!

Absolutely... and it's not much easier to find a rental either. 

Not all, but some.  Depends on how much they've prepared for the purchase and what they have saved up.

Yes. Salaries and income are not keeping up with rising home values.

Yes however where there is a will....there is a way

I am sure they are.  A

This has been a problem for several years already. A lot of the younger ones are looking in other counties for affordable housing.

More because of low inventory than price

It isn't so much the prices as it is the availability of homes meeting their criteria and needs. Inventory is short.

It's beacause of both lack of inventory and the incredibly high prices of real estate here in the Greater Toronto area... 

No.

Seeing some priced out of the market, and others teaming up with someone else to qualify.

nah, we don't have sky rocketing prices here.  They are growing, but at a nice slow steady pace

Its a challenge here and always has been in Northern Virginia but truthfully it is still most of the time a better option even in the short run than renting... our rental rates are extremely high compared with ownership costs. Will Hamm 

Will ~ Not so much price as of yet, but mainly due to intense competition (multiple offers on everything good) caused by low inventory.  It usually takes them some time to really "Get" the current environment and how aggressive they need to be.

Beginning to, well mainly for what they want and then having to educate then on what they can buy. Options are either smaller home here, or longer commute.

Yes, the barrier is getter harder to climb!

No

The major issue I encounter with first time buyers is unrealistic, out of date expectations. This I believe is driven by residual from the Bank of America caused recession of 2008. The core of their fear is being over extended.  Any exceptional deal they are presented will be sabotaged by this fear wearing a new suit.  Last night it was the Taxes! As an agent I can not say, "the taxes are the taxes, you will always have to pay them." So you walk the buyer through how to calculate and why the calculation is not accurate (independent taxing authorities) and leave them to commiserate in the privacy of their thoughts.

I would say not a hard time more like having to compromise.

We are still affordable here.

Yes and I'm hoping they don't get tricked into taking an ARM 

First time home buyers have a challenge in our very strong sellers market.