Your First Home Won’t Be Your Last

Blog posted On February 26, 2026

If you’re a younger home buyer and stressing about finding your forever home, stop right there! Your first home probably won’t be your last. But guess what? That’s actually a good thing! Let’s jump into the reasons why your first home is going to set you up for home buying success in the future.

Waiting to Buy Extends Your Renting Lifestyle

Waiting for the perfect home could actually keep you renting longer. And by elongating your days as a renter, you’ll be missing out on:

• Years of appreciation
• Wealth-building
• The chance to move up and upgrade faster

Your First Home Is a Stepping Stone

Many first-time homeowners use their starter home as a building block, a way to start building equity so that when you are ready for your dream home, you’re financially set up for success.

What Matters When Buying Your First Home

• Affordability: You’ll have the flexibility to choose a home that fits your budget comfortably
• Location: Pick a neighborhood with strong value and growth potential
• Resale Potential: Choose a property that will be easy to sell or rent when you’re ready to upsize

Home Financing and Programs for First-Time Buyers

The threshold to home buying can feel out-of-reach, but with the help of tailored programs and down payment assistance, that barrier-to-entry can be lowered.

• HomeFundIt™: The first down payment gifting platform, HomeFundIt provides a way to receive contributions from your friends and family to help fund your first home
• CMG Graduate Advantage: Are you a recent graduate with a signed employment contract? With a qualifying degree (Accounting, Architecture, Engineering, Law, Medicine), you can take advantage of up to 90% financing (up to 10% down!)
• Community ONE: Flexible options for low-to-moderate-income buyers
• FHA Loans: Great for first-time buyers, with just 3.5% down and flexible credit requirements
• Down Payment Assistance (DPA): Many DPA options are available for new home buyers, including state and city-specific programs

Your first home isn’t the finish line: it’s the starting point of your real estate journey. If you’re a younger home buyer and need guidance on your home buying strategy, we’re a phone call or email away. We’ll help you strategize and talk through what makes the most sense for you.

Source: Yahoo! Finance