Housing affordability has improved slightly, but many buyers still face challenges. Learn about the top compromises homebuyers are making and how to navigate the market smartly. For the first time since 2020, housing affordability improved year over year. This is largely due to a drop in mortgage rates, which have dipped from 7.07% to 6.09% over the past year. While this is undoubtedly great news for home buyers, affordability remains a challenge for many. According to recent data , U.S. buyers now need to earn around $115,000 annually to afford the typical home, down 1.4% from last year. Yet, the average U.S. household earns only about $84,000 annually—27% less than what's needed to buy a median-priced home. Because of this, many buyers are finding themselves in positions where compromise is a necessity. But that doesn’t mean homeownership is off the table. Navigating these compromises smartly can help ensure you still get a home you love without overspending or sacrificing...