Family Boost: How 1 in 4 Young Buyers Get to the Door
A quarter of young first-time buyers are leaning on family funds—gifts or inheritances—to crack today’s tough market. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack the trend the media calls “nepo-homebuyers,” and why that label misses the full story. You’ll learn:
- The Stat Shift: About 1 in 4 young buyers use family money; roughly 20% get direct down-payment gifts, with others tapping inheritances
- Hustle + Help: Beyond gifts, 56% save from paychecks, 17% take second jobs, and ~13% sell crypto to bridge the gap
- Why It’s Harder Now: Rates near ~6.5% vs. 2.65% in early 2021, higher prices, and rising insurance costs reshape the starter-home path
- Smart Ways to Use Help: Gift-fund basics (paperwork, documentation, and timing), plus how assistance can improve approval odds
- Alternatives to Family Funds: Down-payment assistance programs, co-buying strategies, and location flexibility to make the math work
- Equity & Access: The wealth-gap implications—and how public programs can help level the playing field
