For some, the dream of home ownership is getting further away.

A near report from the National Association of Realtors shows the percentage of first-time

home buyers is at its lowest point since 1981.

Not only that, but the race and gender gap in home ownership is widening.

The disparity between black and white homeowners reached its highest point in a decade, while

single women who up until recently were closing the gender gap are now getting priced out

of the housing market.

The pandemic fueled skyrocketing home prices, and as the number of available homes remains

slim, affordability continues to be an issue.

So who is able to buy a home these days?

And is it even worth it?

We'll get into those questions and hear your stories.

I'm Jen White.

You're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story.

We'll be back with more in just a moment.

Let's jump into the conversation by welcoming our guests.

Jessica Loutz is the Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National

Association of Realtors, or NAR.

Also with us is Yannick Herratcliffe.

She's the Vice President for Housing Finance Policy, and she leads the Housing Finance

Policy Center at the Urban Institute.

That's a research nonprofit that focuses on social and economic issues.

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