Keys to the Future: Navigating Today’s Housing Market Together In this Keep It Simple Podcast episode, host Joey Badinger joins advisors Adam Morse and Tommy Williams at AssetBuilder’s Plano HQ to unpack what’s really going on in today’s housing market—and how families can work together to help Gen Z and Millennials become homeowners. They trace the arc from early 20th-century mortgages to post-WWII suburbia, the 1970s rate shock, 2000s subprime bubble, post-COVID surge, and today’s challenging mix of higher rates, compressed affordability, insurance spikes, student debt, and constrained supply. What You’ll Learn Housing history in a hurry: From 5-year loans and big down payments to the 30-year mortgage, GI Bill suburbs, the 1970s rate peak, the subprime crisis, and COVID-era price jumps. Why affordability is strained now: Home-price-to-income ratios, higher mortgage rates vs. locked-in low-rate owners, insurance costs, and student debt. Supply vs. demand realities: Aging-in-place, building restrictions, private investors in starter homes, and why listings can rise even as affordability falls. Programs that help first-time buyers: Where to look for down-payment assistance, reduced-rate programs (e.g., HomeReady, Home Possible), and local buyer education courses. Family strategies that work: How grandparents/parents can gift earlier, reframe big-ticket events (e.g., weddings) vs. down payments, and coach smart savings habits. Episode Highlights Rates matter—but so does the price base. A 6–7% mortgage is tough; the bigger problem is prices outpacing wages. Locked-in effect: Owners with 2–3% mortgages aren’t moving—tightening the starter-home pipeline. Costs beyond the mortgage: Insurance premiums and maintenance have significantly outpaced wages. Education pays: City/county first-time buyer classes can prevent costly surprises (inspections, foundation/piping, etc.). Timing gifts can change trajectories: Front-loading support (within a plan) can beat waiting for inheritances. Chapters 00:00 – Disclaimer & intro 00:18 – Welcome from Plano HQ + today’s topic 01:02 – Why this matters to Gen Z & Millennials 02:04 – Housing history in 5 minutes (setup) 03:02 – Early 1900s: short loans, big down payments 03:40 – Post-WWII & GI Bill: the suburban boom 04:48 – 1970s shock: inflation & 18% mortgage rates 06:20 – 1990s–2000s: innovation → subprime bubble 08:08 – 2006–2012: crash, foreclosures, recovery 10:40 – 2020–2022: ultra-low rates, 40% price surge 11:50 – Today’s landscape: rates ~6–7%, slower demand 12:35 – Affordability math: price-to-income has doubled 13:45 – “Locked-in” owners with 2–3% mortgages 14:38 – Insurance & maintenance costs outpacing wages 15:28 – Student debt + wages: the squeeze on buyers 16:35 – Supply constraints, regs, and investor buyers 18:10 – What helps first-time buyers (overview) 18:38 – Down-payment assistance: HomeReady & Home Possible 19:30 – City/county first-time buyer education (why it matters) 20:28 – Family strategies: earlier gifting, matching, trade-offs 22:05 – Process over outcome: SMART savings goals 23:10 – Weekly money check: kill leaks, automate saving 24:12 – Build a “buy box”: price, payment, area, size 25:06 – Portfolio & plan check for parents/grandparents 26:02 – Action checklist (6 quick wins) 27:05 – Closing thoughts & how we can help 27:40 – Contact: assetbuilder.com to meet with an advisor. SEO Keywords & Hashtags Keywords: housing market 2025, first-time homebuyer tips, home affordability, mortgage rates vs prices, down payment assistance, HomeReady, Home Possible, starter homes shortage, budgeting for a house, Gen Z home buying. Hashtags: #HousingMarket #FirstTimeHomebuyer #HomeBuyingTips #MortgageRates #Affordability #PersonalFinance #WealthBuilding #GenZ #Millennials
