WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — First-time homebuyers could be facing the toughest housing market in modern history, with their share of purchases falling to a record low of 21% and the typical buyer now age 40 — the highest ever recorded — according to new data from the National Association of REALTORS®.

Those milestones come as federal officials consider a controversial new tool: a 50-year mortgage. The Trump administration, working with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is exploring the long-term loan as a way to reduce monthly payments and expand access to homeownership.

But across Central Georgia , mortgage brokers, agents and financial advisers say the challenges run much deeper — and the proposed solution may not fix the affordability crisis weighing on young and first-time buyers.

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