Because home prices have risen faster than income over the last couple of decades, it’s gotten harder for people to buy that first home. However, it is not impossible.

That was proven by the 1.7 million householders who, between 1988 and 1989, did manage to move into the first home they ever owned (“first-time owners”). This Brief compares them with the 2.7 million other owners who also moved into a home during the period, but whose home wasn’t the first they owned (“repeat owner”). Their demographic and financial characteristics, as well as the characteristics of their property, are examined.

Data were collected by the 1989 American Housing Survey (AHS). The AHS is conducted by the Census Bureau and sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Others in Series

Publication

Education: The Ticket to Higher Earnings

April 1993

This brief examines adults’ educational attainment, earnings per level of education and degree field, the amount of time it takes to earn degrees, and more.

Publication

Bureaucrats Are Beyond the Beltway

May 1993

This brief features findings on public employers and employees from selected reports.

Publication

Americans with Disabilities

January 1994

This brief examines persons with specific types of disabilities, their demographic characteristics, employment status and health insurance coverage, and more.

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Related Information

Housing Publications

American Housing Survey (AHS)

Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021

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