Future homebuyers cite prices, payments as top barriers

A large share of future homebuyers are not out of the market. They are waiting for the math to work.

Best Interest Financial’s 2026 Future Home Buyer Report found that 95% of Americans who plan to buy a home in the next five years say something is keeping them from purchasing now.

The top barriers include:

• High home prices: 48%
• High mortgage rates: 33%
• Inability to afford a down payment: 33%
• Concern about affording monthly mortgage payments: 40%
• Limited buying power, with 63% saying they can spend less than the median U.S. home price
• Lack of confidence in their knowledge of the homebuying process: more than half of future buyers

The findings point to a large group of potential buyers who may need help understanding when they are truly ready, what they can afford and which local options may fit their budget.

More than half of future buyers, 54%, said a drop in home prices would prompt them to start seriously shopping. Another 43% said more inventory in their price range would move them forward, while 38% cited falling mortgage rates.

The report also shows where many buyers may turn for answers before contacting a professional. Thirty-seven percent of future buyers said they plan to use AI for homebuying information and 28% plan to turn to social media.

That makes early education more important. For buyers who are waiting, the next step may not be touring homes. It may be a realistic conversation about budget, financing, local inventory and what would need to change before they are ready to move.

Best Interest Financial said the survey included 1,000 adult Americans who plan to buy a home within the next five years.

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