Why US millennials find it harder to buy a home than their parents did

Younger generation hit by a double whammy: lack of both inventory and affordability

Published Wed, Aug 3, 2016 · 09:50 PM

    Washington

    LAWRENCE Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in Washington, has a natural inclination to promote the health of the housing market, since NAR members depend on home sales to make a living. So when he warns about affordability issues causing a potential slowdown in home sales, people listen. "Right now, affordability is a flashing yellow light on the housing market, and I just hope it doesn't become a red light that stops the housing recovery," he says.

    The US housing recovery has pushed home prices higher, with the median national price reaching US$247,700 in June - the highest recorded since NAR began tracking prices in 1968, which Mr Yun attributes to inventory issues.