07/21/2026
https://www.realtor.com/research/starter-home-market-june-2026/?distinct_id=SJsUvTxgm&user_email=kristitomlin7%40gmail.com
More starter homes are available, but the entry pricepoint has had a sharp increase. One difficulty for buyers in Salem and Portland is that the $356k entry point is often far, far less of an "entry" home and more of a fixer (if it can even be found). With payments being so high, buyers in the $400-600k range are expecting perfection (aka no work or repairs needed).
On a positive note, the best neighborhoods and well-prepared homes are getting quick and competing offers.
Sellers: expect longer DOM and picky buyers (plan accordingly).
Buyers: prepare a contingency fund for repairs, consider the Rent v. Buy math, and realize that the American Dream is still the BEST way to secure your future. Even if the dream is delayed, or your starter home is not "perfect," it will build 9x more wealth than renting.
The worst of the starter home crunch appears to be behind us, but the damage runs deep. There are roughly 300,000 fewer affordable listings on the market today than before the pandemic.
