The average age of a first-time homebuyer in 2024 was 38—nearly a decade older than it was just 10 years ago. For too many Americans, the dream of homeownership feels increasingly out of reach, causing their overall wealth to lag behind that of their parents at the same age.
While headlines focus on the housing affordability crisis, another critical issue is unfolding—one that rarely makes the news: the widespread lack of financial literacy among American consumers.
As an industry, we have a vested interest in ensuring future generations of homeowners not only understand how homeownership builds financial security but also develop the financial disciplines needed to qualify sooner rather than later.
It's a challenge that FirstHome IQ, a nonprofit founded and supported by mortgage professionals, is working to solve. Leading this effort is Kristin Messerli, a home finance educator and advocate who has dedicated her career to making homeownership more attainable.
Don’t miss this timely conversation about one of the most pressing challenges—and greatest opportunities—facing the mortgage industry today.
About FirstHome IQ
FirstHome IQ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing homeownership education, inspiration, and resources to ensure equal opportunities for the next generation to build wealth through homeownership. Their approach includes online education featuring engaging content on financial literacy, a curated selection of tools such as payment calculators and budgeting apps, and outreach efforts in collaboration with schools and community organizations to deliver on-site education. By enhancing financial literacy, they aim to help individuals avoid costly mistakes, reduce financial stress, and plan effectively for the future.
🔗 Learn more about FirstHome IQ
🔗 Become a FirstHome IQ Ambassador
About Kristin Messerli
Kristin is a speaker and researcher on nextgen homeownership and financial wellness. Her background includes social work with unhoused youth, homebuyer education, and developing outreach programs. She founded and sold the digital marketing agency, Cultural Outreach, and authors the NextGen Homebuyer Reports, surveying over 4,000 millennial and gen z homebuyers.
Connect with Kristin
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmesserli/
About Dale Vermillion
Dale Vermillion, an industry icon, has trained over 1,000,000 lending professionals and worked with more than 600 organizations. He is a three-time HousingWire Vanguard, a member of the 2022 Global Mortgage 100, and the author of Navigating the Mortgage Maze. Dale is also the founder of Mortgage Professionals Providing Hope.
Connect with Dale
LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/dalevermillion
YouTube → youtube.com/@dalevermillion
Facebook → facebook.com/dalevermillionofficial
Website → dalevermillion.com
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.