• What's at Stake: Including lower-income families as the median home purchase price outpaces their annual earnings.
• Expert Quote: "...people who have been told the math does not work..." — Marietta Rodriguez, NeighborWorks America
• Supporting Data: 46% of network homebuyers closed without any form of mortgage insurance. 

In a signal that first-time home buyers are looking for a little extra help, financial or otherwise, 94% of those who closed with one of the participating nonprofits in NeighborWorks America network during federal fiscal year 2025 came from this group. During the period from fiscal year 2021 through 2025, NeighborWorks serviced 90,899 home purchasers. 

"Our organizations sit down with people who have been told the math does not work for them, and then they help make it work," said Marietta Rodriguez, president and CEO of NeighborWorks America, in a press release. "Eight hours or more of counseling, an honest look at what a family can afford, a down payment they did not think they could assemble."

During 2025, first-timers made up 21% of buyers, according to National Association of Realtor data cited by NeighborWorks.

Over the past five fiscal years, the median purchase price for program participants grew by 26%, to $260,5000 from $206,000. Annual median household income rose 24% to $66,000 from $53,000.

NeighborWorks noted that even with the increase in purchase price, the median first mortgage amount only rose by 20%. The difference was likely made up through the use of down payment assistance and closing cost assistance programs; median assistance rose by 67% to $16,700, which NeighborWorks noted was 6.4% of the median purchase price; for five year's prior it was 4.9%. Plus, it added 84% of network homebuyers received eight or more hours of education or counseling.

"We consistently see households earning about 60% of the market's income reaching the closing table, and arriving there prepared because of NeighborWorks organizations," said Michael Butchko, vice president of business intelligence.

The average age of a NeighborWorks buyer was 36 in fiscal 2025, but this is consistent across all five years. The NAR report where the 21% market share number came from, also stated the median age of a first-time buyer was 40.

However, Intercontinental Exchange's July Mortgage Monitor report found Millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996, made up 45% of the rate lock volume in the second quarter of this year, with Gen Z adding 20%; the older Gen X was 23% and baby boomers at 11%.

By location, 43% of NeighborWorks participants bought in a suburban census track, while 40% were in urban areas and 17% in rural locales.

A large percentage, 46%, did not have any form of mortgage insurance at closing. This was up from 32% in fiscal year 2021. The share which used the Federal Housing Administration program fell to 28% from 35%; another 15.6% used private MI, up from 13.6%.

The remainder comes from the Veterans Administration program; U.S. Department of Agriculture/Rural Housing Service; other mortgage insurance or was unknown. VA and RHS are government-guarantee programs which allow for 100% financing.