Banks use several factors to determine how to approve someone for a mortgage loan, including credit score and debt-to-income ratio. KeyBank’s 2025 Financial Mobility Survey found that many believe owning a home is not an attainable goal for themselves nor the average American.
If you’re like most homebuyers on a budget, you’re probably paying close attention to the asking price of homes on the market. You may even have a ballpark figure or mortgage payment in mind. But it’s important to be aware that the cost of buying a house is more complicated.
It’s one of the biggest purchases that many will ever make and it’s not a stretch to say that these days, buying a home is tough. In fact,  KeyBank’s 2025 Financial Mobility Survey found that many believe owning a home is not an attainable goal.
I started my career in retail management; however, I found that path to be deeply unfulfilling. The work culture lacked a healthy balance between professional and personal life, and I didn’t feel a strong sense of reward or growth.