The dream of owning a home is becoming more challenging for many Americans, highlighted by the sharp rise in mortgage rates and the continual climb of home prices. A typical homebuyer now needs an income of $114,627 to afford a median-priced home in the U.S., a 15% ($15,285) increase from a year ago and a 50% jump since the start of the pandemic, according to Redfin data. This situation is particularly tough for first-time buyers who are facing the highest income requirement on record to secure