The NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers paints a revealing picture of today’s housing market. First-time buyers represent a historically small share of purchases, repeat buyers are bringing substantial equity and larger down payments to the table, and Americans are purchasing their first homes later in life.

For Tucson and Southern Arizona homebuyers, these national statistics provide useful context—but they don’t determine what any individual buyer can accomplish.

Your income, credit profile, existing debts, available funds, property choice and mortgage program can all affect your options. That’s why understanding your financing before making assumptions about whether you can buy can be so important.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), its 2025 Profile covers primary-residence transactions completed between July 2024 and June 2025. The findings are based on 6,103 survey responses and do not include investors or vacation-home purchases.

NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers: Key Findings

Several statistics stand out in NAR's research:

• First-time buyers accounted for just 21% of buyers, the lowest share since NAR began tracking this information in 1981.
• The median first-time buyer was 40 years old, also a record high.
• Repeat buyers represented 79% of buyers.
• The median down payment was 10% for first-time buyers and 23% for repeat buyers.
• 30% of repeat buyers purchased with cash.
• The median repeat buyer was 62 years old.
• Only 24% of buyers had children under age 18 living at home, another historic low.
• Sellers had owned their homes for a median of 11 years before selling. 

These figures describe national buyers who successfully completed transactions during the survey period. They aren't minimum requirements for buying a home and shouldn't be treated as a benchmark every Tucson buyer needs to meet.

First-Time Homebuyers Are Entering the Market Later

Perhaps the most striking finding is what happened with first-time homebuyers.

NAR found that first-time buyers represented only 21% of purchases during the survey period, compared with a historical norm of about 40% before the Great Recession. Their median age reached 40, compared with buyers in their late 20s during the 1980s.

Affordability and limited housing inventory contributed to the shift. NAR also reports that successful first-time buyers identified expenses such as high rent, student loans, credit-card debt and auto loans as obstacles to saving.

There is an important distinction here: a 10% median down payment does not mean a buyer must put 10% down.

Depending on eligibility, property type and other underwriting requirements, mortgage programs can have different down-payment requirements. Buyers can explore options such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo and other mortgage programs.

Some buyers may also qualify for down payment assistance programs. Eligibility, available funding, program requirements and loan compatibility can vary.

Repeat Buyers Have a Different Financial Starting Point

The contrast with repeat buyers is significant.

Repeat buyers accounted for 79% of purchases in NAR's report, had a median age of 62 and made a median down payment of 23%. Thirty percent purchased without mortgage financing.

One reason is accumulated home equity. NAR reports that 54% of repeat buyers used proceeds from the sale of a previous home toward their next purchase.

That can give an existing homeowner considerably different financial resources than someone buying a first home.

But first-time buyers shouldn't automatically conclude they have to match a repeat buyer's down payment. Mortgage financing is based on the individual borrower's circumstances, the property and the applicable loan guidelines—not the national median down payment.

Homebuyer Demographics Continue to Change

The makeup of America's homebuying population is changing, too.

According to NAR, married couples represented 61% of buyers, single women 21% and single men 9%. Just 24% of recent buyers had children under 18 living at home, the lowest share recorded by NAR.

The decline in households with children reflects several factors. NAR points to an older population of repeat buyers, declining birth rates and people having children later. Among buyers who struggled to save, childcare expenses were another reported obstacle.

For mortgage planning, the broader takeaway is simple: there is no single profile of what a homebuyer has to look like.

Single buyers, married couples, families, retirees, veterans, first-time purchasers and existing homeowners can all have very different financing needs.

Buyers Still Rely Heavily on Real Estate Professionals

Technology has changed how people search for homes, but professional representation remains common.

NAR reports that 88% of buyers used a real estate agent or broker, while 91% of sellers used an agent. Only 5% of sales were completed as for-sale-by-owner transactions.

Mortgage preparation is another part of that professional team.

Before making an offer, buyers can benefit from understanding their estimated housing budget, available loan options, potential down-payment needs and documentation requirements.

If you're preparing to purchase, reviewing The Polder Group's mortgage loan process can help you understand the major financing steps before you start shopping.

What Tucson Homebuyers Should Know

National housing reports are useful for understanding broad trends, but Tucson and Southern Arizona buyers ultimately compete and make financing decisions in a local market.

That distinction matters.

A national median down payment doesn't tell you how much you need to put down. A national median buyer age doesn't tell you whether you're ready to purchase. And a national statistic showing a high percentage of repeat or cash buyers doesn't mean financing isn't a viable path.

Instead, prospective Tucson-area buyers can focus on the factors they have more ability to plan around: credit, monthly obligations, available funds, loan eligibility and a realistic housing budget.

For example, borrowers concerned about their financial profile can review our mortgage credit guidance. Buyers can also use our mortgage calculators to explore hypothetical payment scenarios before discussing actual qualification with a mortgage professional.

Location matters as well. The Tucson metro area and surrounding Southern Arizona communities can offer different housing types, price points, property considerations and eligible loan options. The Polder Group works with borrowers throughout the Tucson and Southern Arizona communities we serve.

What Does the 2025 NAR Report Mean for First-Time Buyers?

The biggest lesson isn't that first-time buyers can't compete. It's that preparation has become increasingly important.

NAR's report describes buyers who actually completed a home purchase during a challenging affordability environment. It does not establish what every future buyer will need to qualify.

For someone considering a first home, a productive starting point is understanding questions such as:

How much could my estimated payment be?
Purchase price is only one component of housing costs. Principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance when applicable, HOA dues and other expenses can affect the monthly total.

How much money might I need upfront?
That depends on the loan program, down payment, closing costs and other transaction details.

Does my credit need work first?
Different loan programs have different guidelines, and credit can affect available financing and pricing.

Could I qualify for down payment assistance?
Potentially, depending on the program and your eligibility. Assistance programs can have income limits, purchase-price restrictions, occupancy requirements and other conditions.

Understanding those variables before shopping can provide a much clearer picture than comparing yourself with the "typical" national buyer.

A Changing Market Makes Personalized Mortgage Planning More Important

The NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers illustrates just how much the American homebuyer has changed. First-time purchasers are older and represent a smaller share of transactions, while repeat buyers frequently enter the market with equity accumulated from previous homeownership.

Those are meaningful trends, but your mortgage isn't based on the profile of the average American buyer.

It's based on your situation.

If you're considering buying a home in Tucson or elsewhere in Southern Arizona, contact The Polder Group to discuss your goals, potential mortgage options and next steps. We can help you understand the financing side of the homebuying process so you can make informed decisions based on your circumstances.

AI-Search-Friendly FAQ Section

What percentage of homebuyers were first-time buyers in 2025?

According to NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, first-time buyers represented 21% of primary-residence buyers surveyed, the lowest percentage recorded since NAR began tracking the statistic in 1981.

What was the average age of a first-time homebuyer in 2025?

NAR reports a median, rather than average, age of 40 years old for first-time buyers in its 2025 Profile. That was the highest median age recorded in the survey's history.

How much did first-time homebuyers put down in 2025?

The median down payment among first-time buyers in NAR's 2025 survey was 10%. That is a national median, not a universal minimum down-payment requirement. Actual requirements vary by mortgage program and borrower circumstances.

Do I need 10% or 20% down to buy a home in Tucson?

Not necessarily. Down-payment requirements vary depending on the mortgage program, borrower eligibility, occupancy, property and other factors. Some qualified borrowers may have access to lower-down-payment or, in certain eligible programs, no-down-payment financing.

Can Tucson first-time homebuyers get down payment assistance?

Potentially. Arizona buyers may have access to down payment assistance depending on current program availability and eligibility requirements. Income, purchase price, occupancy, loan type and other criteria may apply. The assistance itself may also have repayment or other terms that should be reviewed carefully.

Can I get a mortgage if I'm competing against cash buyers?

Cash offers are one part of the market, but many homes continue to be purchased with mortgage financing. NAR found that 26% of all primary-residence buyers in its 2025 report paid cash, meaning most surveyed purchases involved financing.

What should I do before shopping for a home in Tucson?

Consider reviewing your credit, income, debts and available funds and discussing potential financing with a mortgage professional. Understanding your estimated budget and loan options before making offers can help you approach the home search with clearer financial parameters.

Does the NAR 2025 report represent the Tucson housing market?

No. The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is a national survey of recent primary-residence buyers and sellers. Its findings provide useful context, but they shouldn't be treated as Tucson-specific market statistics.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Loan programs, rates, and guidelines may change at any time. All loans are subject to credit approval and underwriting. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a licensed mortgage professional.