1009 ET - Saving for a down payment remains one of the biggest barriers to homeownership in the U.S., Realtor.com says, even as housing market conditions improve. In 2025, the typical U.S. household needed seven years to save for a typical down payment, a significant improvement from the peak of 12 years in 2022. Higher home prices and intensified competition have pushed typical down payments higher, at the same time that inflation and rising household expenses have reduced savings rates. The U.S. personal savings rate has averaged 5.1% of income so far in 2025, below the pre-pandemic norm of 6.5%. In 3Q 2019, the typical buyer paid about $13,900 as a down payment. By 3Q 2025, that figure had more than doubled to $30,400. (chris.wack@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 29, 2025 10:09 ET (15:09 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.