Why housing’s ‘unaffordable situation’ is so persistent
High home prices and elevated mortgage rates are keeping first-time buyers locked out even amidst a rise in new home inventory, according to analyst John Burns.
December 13, 2025
AJ LaTrace
Director, News Reporting
AJ has covered real estate for the last decade as a reporter and editor for publications including Vox Media's Curbed, Chicago magazine and Business Insider. At Business Insider, AJ led the brand's coverage of how everyday people invest in real estate as a means of gaining financial independence, and he reported on big-picture trends and pain points in the broader U.S. real estate market. AJ is based in Chicago, where he also moonlights as a small-time landlord.
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