Supply: Djordje Krstic / Getty
Though rising market prices are driving up actual property costs nationwide, Black first-time homebuyers stay dedicated to homeownership.
A brand new Zillow analysis report printed Feb. 20 revealed that Black first-time homebuyers are enjoying a big function in driving a rebound within the housing market, regardless of ongoing challenges with affordability. Whereas the nationwide share of first-time homebuyers has dropped from 50% final yr to 44% this yr, Black first-time consumers have proven a exceptional and regular enhance.
From 2019 to 2021, Black first-time consumers noticed a decline of their share, dropping from 47% to 35%. Nevertheless, this development reversed in 2022, with Black consumers making up 55% of first-time purchases. By 2023, that quantity surged to an all-time excessive of 63%, and in 2024, Black first-time consumers continued to steer the cost at 62%, outperforming all different racial teams.
The expansion in Black homeownership is important within the context of affordability struggles confronted by many available in the market. Zillow’s findings present that whereas affordability stays a significant barrier, Black homebuyers are navigating it with resilience. Solely 17.6% of listings are inside attain for a typical Black family, in comparison with 37.9% for white households. Regardless of these challenges, Black consumers have discovered methods to extend their presence within the housing market, with sure cities providing extra alternatives than others.
The place is it reasonably priced for Black first-time residence consumers to buy?

Supply: Djordje Krstic / Getty
Should you’re a first-time homebuyer seeking to buy property within the US, St. Louis is perhaps the perfect place to start out. Based on Zillow, St. Louis has emerged as probably the most reasonably priced housing marketplace for Black households incomes the median earnings, with 30.3% of listings falling inside attain.
St. Louis excels in affordability, with a median residence worth of $215,000, in accordance with Redfin. Different cities that carefully comply with St. Louis in affordability embody Birmingham (29.5%), Memphis (29.0%), in addition to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, which has a median itemizing worth of $100,000, Realtor.com notes. These cities have turn out to be key locations for Black consumers in search of extra reasonably priced housing choices, serving to them navigate the challenges of rising residence costs.
One other key issue contributing to the rise in Black homeownership is the rising flexibility of distant work. Black renters are 29% extra seemingly than different renters to be ready the place homeownership might turn out to be attainable if distant work have been an possibility. This shift permits for larger mobility, enabling Black people and households to entry extra reasonably priced housing markets that have been as soon as out of attain as a consequence of proximity to costly city facilities.
Zillow’s progressive instruments are additionally serving to potential consumers navigate these challenges. The “Buyability” software presents customized estimates of what consumers can afford utilizing real-time mortgage charges, serving to them higher plan for homeownership. With continued assist and entry to reasonably priced housing markets, Black first-time consumers are making strides in a market that continues to be tough however filled with promise for these decided to personal a house.
SEE ALSO:
Prime 10 Cities In America With The Largest Black Homeownership Hole
Center-Class Black Homeownership In Atlanta Is On The Decline. Right here’s Why
Black First-Time Homebuyers Are Buying Actual Property Regardless of Affordability Challenges Nationwide, Zillow Report Finds
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