First-Time Buyers Are Back: Is It Your Turn?

By Vicki Schamel

Has been a dedicated Realtor for over 30 years. She first entered real estate to balance work and raising her two young daughters, but it soon grew into a lifelong passion.

Have you been thinking about buying your first home, but wondering if it’s even possible in today’s market? If so, I have some encouraging news for you. Nationally, first-time buyers made up 35% of all home purchases in May, the highest monthly share we’ve seen since 2020. To me, that’s a real positive sign that more people are finding a way to become homeowners, and it tells me the door may be open wider than you think.

So what’s changed? The biggest reason is simple: there are more homes available. With more inventory, buyers have more choices and a lot less pressure. You can take your time, you don’t have to make a rushed decision, and you have a much better chance of finding a home that actually fits your lifestyle and your budget when you slow down a bit.

Right here in Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, and Tompkins counties, the areas I work most, we’re seeing more opportunities than we’ve had in quite some time. Whether you’re looking in Corning, Elmira, Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Ithaca, or one of the many surrounding communities, there are homes coming on the market every single week. The question is how you find them before someone else does.

Connect with a Realtor to catch homes the moment they list. You can search on the third-party sites, the Zillow and Realtor.com listings of the world, but the best way to find a home the minute it comes on the market is to work with a local Realtor. We’re in the MLS, we watch our hot sheets every day, and we know what’s coming before it gets wide exposure. Instead of spending your evenings scrolling, you can let someone who knows your goals and your must-haves do the searching for you and bring the right homes directly to you.

Don’t count yourself out over money before you’ve explored your options. If you’ve been holding back because you assumed homeownership was out of reach, please don’t rule yourself out just yet. Every buyer’s situation is different, and there are loan programs and financing options out there that many people have never even considered. Part of my job is helping you understand what’s actually available to you, because the picture is often better than folks expect.

Here’s the part I really want you to hear. The first step isn’t buying a house. It’s having a conversation and making a plan. Everything else grows from there, and there’s no pressure to have it all figured out before we talk.

If homeownership is one of your goals this year, I’d love to help you explore what’s possible in this market. Send me a message or give me a call, and together we can look at your situation and see if now is the right time for you. Call or text me at 607-351-6933, email me at vickischamel@kw.com, or visit fingerlakesrealestatereports.com. I’d be glad to help you find the right home for you.