The Death of the Starter Home
Buying a first house used to mark entry into adulthood—and the beginning of wealth-building. But a shifting economic landscape is threatening to close the door on this American milestone.
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Jackie CoopermanThe Big StoryJun 16, 2026 10:35 AMThe Death of the Starter HomeBuying a first house used to mark entry into adulthood—and the beginning of wealth-building. But a shifting economic landscape is threatening to close the door on this American milestone.Play/Pause ButtonPauseCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyAfter several exasperating Zillow searches through Portland, Oregon’s increasingly expensive housing market, Gaby Colón and Daniel Quebral scrapped their plans for a traditional home and embraced the open road, buying a 315-square-foot home on wheels.“Rent is crazy right now, and housing prices are even worse,” Colón says.
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