Over 70% of recent homebuyers exceeded their budgets to secure homes, with 28% taking larger mortgages than planned. Many, especially younger buyers, face financial strain, with half of Gen Z and 44% of millennials nearly missing mortgage payments. Buyers increasingly use 401(k) funds, inheritances, and pooled money for downpayments. Loan officers worry about long-term risks as buyers seek digital conveniences like e-signing to ease the process.