If you ask younger adults what debt is most likely to stand between them and buying a home, many would probably point to their student loans.

It’s easy to understand why.

It costs a ton of money to go to college, and many students start their adult lives with a bill they’ll be paying off for years to come. And if you’ve ever been on the paying end of a student loan, it can seem almost impossible to put a dent in the balance even when you’re paying more than the minimum amount each month.

But according to a recent survey of mortgage loan officers, student loans aren’t the type of debt most commonly preventing first-time buyers from qualifying to buy a home.

Nope. The thing more likely to stand between them and buying a home is… their car loan.

When loan officers were asked which type of debt most commonly prevents first-time buyers from qualifying for a mortgage, nearly half (47%) said it was auto loans.

Credit card debt came in second at 27%.

Student loans were a distant third, cited by just 15% of respondents.

Owning a Car Isn’t Always Optional, But…

For many people, owning a car isn’t optional.

There’s a good chance you need one to get to work, run errands, have some fun in between all of the work… and, yes, eventually go look at houses you want to buy.

Obviously, first-time buyers can’t be expected to walk everywhere for several years just to improve their chances of qualifying for a mortgage.

But there can be an enormous difference between buying the transportation you need and buying the most expensive vehicle a dealership says you can afford.

Mortgage lenders pay close attention to a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio, which compares their monthly debt obligations to their income. Even if the borrower earns a steady income, has good credit, and consistently makes every payment on time, a sizable car payment can push that ratio beyond what a lender is comfortable with.

Ironically, being able to “afford” the car payment may make it more difficult to afford the home they want.

Whether You Buy or Lease, Keep Your Future Home in Mind

The biggest issue isn’t necessarily whether you buy or lease a car. From a mortgage lender’s perspective, either one can add a monthly obligation that affects how much you’re able to borrow.

The real problem is that car payments have a way of becoming permanent and tend to increase over time.

People often finance a car for five, six, or even seven years, only to trade it in before paying it off. Or they lease one vehicle and replace it with another when the lease ends. Along the way, they may gradually upgrade to newer and more expensive vehicles because the monthly payment still seems manageable.

If buying a home is something you hope to do within the next few years, it may be worth keeping a reliable car longer, choosing a less expensive model, or buying something modest with cash—assuming doing so won’t drain the money you need for a down payment, closing costs, and emergencies.

Before talking to the finance department at a car dealer, you might want to speak with a mortgage professional about how financing, leasing, paying off, or trading in a vehicle could affect your particular numbers.

A car may be an unavoidable expense. Just remember that how much you choose to spend on it each month could determine whether the next driveway you park in belongs to you.

If you’re a member of Gen Z and would like to buy a home someday, there’s a good chance you’ve already written off the possibility.

Rent, groceries, car payments, student loans, and just about everything else cost more than ever. And that’s before home prices and mortgage rates enter the conversation.

You don’t need anyone telling you how difficult it is. You already feel it. And it certainly doesn’t help when friends, family, the news, and social media make it sound like nobody can afford to buy a home these days, let alone someone your age.

So, it’s understandable if homeownership feels impossible.

But here’s a sliver of hope…

A record number of Gen Z buyers are proving it isn’t impossible.

Apparently… 1 in Every 5 Buyers Is Gen Z!

According to a recent ICE Mortgage Monitor report, Gen Z accounted for 20% of all purchase mortgage rate locks during the second quarter of 2026. That’s the generation’s largest share on record.

A mortgage rate lock temporarily secures a particular interest rate for a buyer while their loan is being processed. It doesn’t guarantee the purchase ultimately closed, but it indicates they were actively in the process of buying a home.

In other words, one out of every five mortgage rates locked by someone buying a home was for a member of Gen Z. They also accounted for nearly one-third of all first-time buyer loans.

Not that that isn’t surprising enough to hear given how people make it sound out there, but to put it in even more context, Gen Z is composed of people between the ages of 14-29 years old. The entire generation isn’t even of home buying age yet!

The Biggest Obstacle May Be Assuming It Isn’t Possible

One of the biggest obstacles potential first-time buyers face isn’t always their income, credit score, or savings.

Sometimes it’s simply assuming they won’t qualify without ever speaking to someone who can tell them for sure.

You may think you need a 20% down payment. You may assume your student loans automatically prevent you from qualifying. Perhaps you believe your credit needs to be flawless or that there aren’t any first-time buyer programs available where you live.

Those assumptions could stop you from taking the first step, even if you’re closer to being able to buy than you realize.

And even if you aren’t quite ready today, finding that out doesn’t make the conversation pointless. A knowledgeable real estate agent and reputable mortgage professional can help you understand what’s standing between you and buying a home.

You might find out that you need to improve your credit, pay down a particular debt, build more savings, or adjust the price range you were hoping to qualify for. That may sound discouraging, but knowing exactly what you need to work on is far more useful than vaguely assuming homeownership is entirely impossible.

No, the market isn’t easy for first-time buyers right now, and nobody should pretend otherwise. Buying may require patience, planning, and some compromises.
But difficult isn’t the same as impossible.

If owning a home is one of your goals, don’t rule yourself out based on what you’ve heard or how far away it feels. Find out what’s actually possible.

You may discover that homeownership is still a few years away.

Or you may discover that “someday” is closer than you think.

When you sell a house, staging can make a real difference. But the word “staging” means different things to different people.

Some think of it as simply rearranging what they already have — moving a few pieces around, opening the blinds, and putting their space in the best possible light (literally and figuratively).

Others picture an HGTV-level overhaul — trucks pulling up with designer furniture, new art on the walls, accent lighting, and everything color-coordinated down to the coffee-table books.

And then there are those who take it down to the tiniest of details, like arranging the perfect pillow on the bed — as mentioned in a recent Realtor.com article.

Of course, if staging homes is your business, every little thing matters. But for most homeowners, the idea of doing that much can feel intimidating.

So when it comes time to sell, while some people take staging very seriously, determined to polish every inch of their home to perfection in hopes of capturing top dollar, on the other end of the spectrum, some don’t do a thing. But most sellers fall somewhere in between.

Will perfectly placed pillows make or break your sale? Probably not. (It certainly won’t hurt! But you don’t have to go to such great lengths…)

However, there are a few simple things every seller should do, no matter where you fall on the staging spectrum.

Start With One Big Declutter… Then Do a Daily Declutter

Decluttering might not sound like “staging” in the traditional sense, since you’re not hauling in new furniture, swapping out rugs, or hiring a professional stylist. But at its core, it’s the most basic form of staging.

Getting rid of items you don’t need, that cramp the space, or that distract from the home’s features is one of the simplest ways to make your home feel larger, cleaner, and more inviting. Even if your furnishings or decor aren’t perfect, reducing visual clutter creates a canvas that lets buyers focus on the home itself.

Before your home hits the market, tackle one big declutter: remove excess furniture, clear out general junk, and create breathing room so buyers can easily see what the space offers.

Decluttering might not sound like “staging” in the traditional sense, since you’re not hauling in new furniture, swapping out rugs, or hiring a professional stylist. But at its core, it’s the most basic form of staging.

Getting rid of items you don’t need, that cramp the space, or that distract from the home’s features is one of the simplest ways to make your home feel larger, cleaner, and more inviting. Even if your furnishings or decor aren’t perfect, reducing visual clutter creates a canvas that lets buyers focus on the home itself.

Before your home hits the market, tackle one big declutter: remove excess furniture, clear out general junk, and create breathing room so buyers can easily see what the space offers.

Once your house is listed, it’s all about daily declutter and upkeep. Little things you might not notice in your day-to-day life — or items left in a rush — often stand out to buyers. While most won’t care about perfectly coordinated throw pillows, they will notice small distractions if left unchecked.

Here are the core areas to focus on:

• Make your bed. It might seem small, but a made bed immediately reduces visual clutter and makes a bedroom feel cared for. You don’t need perfectly coordinated pillows or designer linens — just a tidy bed signals that the space is ready for buyers to imagine themselves living there.
• Keep bathroom sinks clean and clear. Buyers notice toothpaste splatters, damp towels, and random toiletries. A quick wipe of the sink and mirror each morning keeps the bathroom feeling fresh and uncluttered, even with everyday use.
• Put clothes (and workout gear) away. The “not quite dirty enough” pile on the chair or treadmill is an easy trap. Even small piles can make a room feel messy. Spend a minute each day putting clothes back in the hamper or closet so spaces feel organized and spacious.
• Mind the kitchen counters. A clean countertop instantly communicates a well-maintained home. Too many gadgets, mail piles, or dishes send the opposite message. Keep surfaces clear, storing items in cabinets or drawers while the home is listed.

It’s easy to let things slide — especially if your home’s been on the market for a while or showing activity has slowed down. But buyers often decide to see a property at the last minute, and first impressions are hard to reset.

You never know which random Tuesday afternoon will bring the offer you’ve been waiting for. Staying consistent with small habits keeps your home ready for opportunity.

But by focusing on these areas, you maintain the sense of order that makes your home look its best — without turning your life upside down or staging every pillow. It’s the daily upkeep that keeps the big declutter from slipping back into chaos.

If you’re unsure whether your home would benefit from more advanced or strategic staging, ask your agent for guidance. Every market and price point is different. Some homes truly benefit from professional staging. Others simply need everyday tidiness and good lighting.

Either way, the basics above are universal — they’re the bare minimum “staging” steps every seller should follow while their home is on the market.

Simple and tasteful holiday decorating is a wonderful way to showcase the beauty of your home. However, keep in mind that a little decorating goes a long way. (Think more along the lines of the home in Home Alone, as opposed to the home in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.) If you’re one of those people who tends to go all out during the holidays when it comes to decorating, this may be the year to reign it in a little.

What is traditional to you might be over the top to a potential buyer. It’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to holiday decorations. After all, you want buyers to see and appreciate your home and its features, and they can’t do that when they’re being distracted by your decorations.

Staging a home for showing is all about allowing the potential buyer to see their own possessions inside your home, so even though you love your Grinch collection, it’ll have to sit this year out. The same goes for overly religious decor. You don’t know who will be walking through your door, ready to make an offer, and you don’t want to alienate or turn off any potential legitimate buyer. In the larger picture, taming things down during the holidays to secure a buyer for your house is a small price to pay.

3. Let there be light

Winter days are short and sunlight is at a premium. When you know you have a showing, open all the curtains and blinds and turn on all the lights. Even the lights inside closets and cabinets should be turned on, and then the doors re-closed. Remember that you are trying to create the illusion of light and warmth.

If you have a fireplace or woodstove, fire it up! Turn the thermostat to a few degrees warmer than usual before the showing, for a couple of reasons. First, the last thing you want your potential buyer to feel is cold when they walk into your home. They will immediately think of having to install more installation, a more powerful furnace, etc.

The second reason is that, if you turn the thermostat up prior to the showing, but turn it down a couple degrees when the buyer arrives, your furnace will not kick on, and if you have a loud furnace, you’ll immediately realize this benefit.

4. Focus on cozy

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