High mortgage rates and rising home prices continue to challenge first-time homebuyers despite a 28% increase in housing inventory across the 50 largest U.S. metros. Nationwide, average listing prices rose 5% to $438,700, leading to typical monthly payments of $3,400 with a 9% down payment. Affordable metros like Buffalo and Cleveland saw price jumps of 14% and 12%, respectively, while cities like San Jose and Seattle experienced the largest inventory increases.