A separate survey found most US adults still saw homeownership as part of the American Dream, showing ownership goals remained strong despite higher buying costs.
For new buyers, the guidance stressed that taxes, insurance, interest rates and other ownership costs can meaningfully change total housing expenses overall.
Buyers were urged to focus on the full monthly payment, not just the purchase price, when deciding what fits their budget best.
Buyers were also encouraged to build a downpayment strategy, including researching assistance programs before shopping, while balancing upfront cash with reserves for surprises.
For 2026 planning, buyers were advised that a bigger downpayment can lower the mortgage, but keeping cash reserves still matters for unexpected expenses.