“We often speak about the strength of our housing market and the opportunities it provides. I believe in that vision—but I also feel compelled to share a few real experiences that have caused me deep concern and, frankly, heartbreak as we navigate this new housing reality. Today’s young buyers no longer have the luxury of peace of mind. In order to qualify for a home at all, many are forced to push their finances to the absolute limit. If they qualify for $400,000, they are often asking their...”
We often speak about the strength of our housing market and the opportunities it provides. I believe in that vision—but I also feel compelled to share a few real experiences that have caused me deep concern and, frankly, heartbreak as we navigate this new housing reality.
Today’s young buyers no longer have the luxury of peace of mind. In order to qualify for a home at all, many are forced to push their finances to the absolute limit. If they qualify for $400,000, they are often asking their lender to stretch that approval to **$415,000 or even $450,000—or higher—**simply because that is where entry-level homes are priced. This leaves them with no margin for error. Any change—an increase in interest rates, property taxes, utilities, insurance, or even basic living expenses—can place them on the brink of financial hardship. These buyers are not being reckless; they are doing everything they can just to secure a home, yet they are one unexpected expense away from losing what they worked so hard to achieve.
About ten years ago, my son purchased his first home. He qualified for a loan of $300,000. Instead of encouraging him to buy at the top of what he could qualify for, I helped him purchase a modest home for $125,000. My goal was simple: I wanted him to be able to live comfortably—to afford groceries, utilities, and everyday life without the constant pressure of an overwhelming house payment. That choice gave him stability and peace of mind.
Fast forward to 2020, when the market shifted dramatically. I worked with a young family who qualified for $395,000. We searched throughout Weber and Davis counties and submitted multiple offers. Time after time, they were outbid. Eventually, the stress became too much. The wife broke down in tears and said, “We can’t do this anymore. I can’t handle the stress.” They chose to rent instead, because at the time, rent made more sense than purchasing at inflated prices. Now, with rents skyrocketing alongside home prices and interest rates, that option is no longer a safe or sustainable alternative. Families are being squeezed from every direction.
Another situation that weighs heavily on me involves a young, divorced mother with three children. Between the rising cost of food, utilities, and childcare, she cannot qualify for housing assistance, including Section 8. As her current home prepares to sell, she is terrified—terrified of where she and her children will go. I have searched extensively, and I cannot find a rental she can afford that is also in a safe, stable neighborhood suitable for raising her children. No parent should be forced to choose between affordability and safety.
I also work with many individuals transferring into Utah. One such client, relocating from Florida after losing his home to hurricanes, arrived here only to discover there was nothing available for him to buy. He falls into a growing and troubling gap—not a first-time buyer, but priced between $500,000 and $700,000, where inventory is severely limited. Many homeowners in that range are holding onto their properties because they have 2–3% interest rates and cannot afford to move. His only option was to live in a motorhome on base with his three children for nearly six months until we could finally find something that met their needs.
If you drive past RV parks today, you’ll notice a striking change. These spaces were once meant for weekend getaways and short vacations. Now, they are overflowing with families living full-time in RVs and motorhomes—often far too small—because it’s the only housing they can afford or find.
This is deeply concerning to me—not just as a real estate professional, but as a mother and a grandmother. My own daughter lives in my basement, and she sees no realistic path to affording a home of her own. It breaks my heart to talk with her when she’s in tears, feeling trapped and hopeless as costs continue to rise—food, utilities, rent, and housing all moving upward with no relief in sight.
I look at my grandchildren and worry that they may never have the opportunity to experience the American dream of homeownership—the pride, stability, and sense of accomplishment that comes from owning a place of your own. This country was built on that dream: owning a small piece of land, building responsibility, confidence, and self-worth. When young people are locked out of ownership and forced into perpetual renting, many feel like they’ve failed—through no fault of their own.
If we allow housing prices and rents to remain this high without meaningful action, we risk losing an entire generation to discouragement. I am committed to helping in any way I can to preserve the American dream. But we must act—and we must act soon. If we don’t, our children and grandchildren may never have the chance to achieve what generations before them worked so hard to build