Starter Homes Now a ‘Luxury’ as First-Time Buyer Age Hits 40

America’s housing crunch is getting tougher. The median first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old — the oldest on record. Real estate agents say the traditional “starter home” has become a luxury, with prices rising faster than entry-level incomes. One Compass agent says the cost of homeownership is outpacing what young buyers can earn, making it extremely hard to save for a down payment as multiple factors work against them.