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FreightWatch.News
Thursday, November 5, 2026
A record 10% of first-time homebuyers paid all cash for their homes in 2026, marking the highest share since data collection began in 2003, according to the National Association of Realtors. This trend underscores widening disparities in homeownership access.
Inheritances drove the cash purchases, with 28% of all-cash buyers citing inherited funds and 21% using proceeds from inherited property sales. The median age of first-time buyers remains at a record 40 years old, with all-cash purchasers averaging 54 compared to 38 for financed buyers.
Overall first-time buyers comprised just 22% of the market, near record lows due to housing shortages and elevated prices. For down payments, personal savings now ranks as the primary funding source, while asset liquidation—including retirement accounts and securities—surpassed family financial assistance.
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