The dream of finding an affordable home in today’s market can feel increasingly out of reach for many prospective buyers.
Despite some shifts in inventory, the fundamental challenge remains that available homes often do not align with what many households can truly afford.
This growing financial pressure is particularly acute for middle-income households, who continue to face the largest supply gap in the housing market. According to the 2026 Housing Mismatch Report, a collaborative analysis from Realtor.com® and the National Association of Realtors®, buyers earning around $75,000 can currently afford homes priced up to about $261,140…