In Episode 15 of The Fitze Is Right, Maryland realtor Jen Fitze tackles the biggest debate in real estate right now — is it actually impossible to buy a home if you're under 40 in 2026?

The average first-time home buyer age in America is now 40, according to the National Association of Realtors. It's climbed from the low 30s over the past decade. But Jen says that stat is misleading — and she has the proof.

Jen just helped multiple buyers under 25 purchase their first homes. Her youngest buyer ever was 19 years old. A 25-year-old teacher with a 2-year-old just closed last week. And Jocelynn, who appeared on a previous episode, bought at 24 while self-employed and fresh out of debt.

So why does everyone think it's impossible? Jen breaks down the five biggest myths stopping young people from buying: you need 20% down (you don't — FHA is 3.5%, VA and USDA are 0%), you need perfect credit (minimum is 580-620, not 800), you can't buy with student loans (you can), you need a high income (a teacher just did it), and the market is going to crash so you should wait (it's not, and you can't time it).

She also reveals what most agents and lenders won't tell you about grants and assistance programs. There are first-time buyer grants that cover down payments and closing costs — some you never have to pay back. There are specific grants for first responders, teachers, and nurses. And in Maryland, first-time buyers get a break on state recordation taxes worth approximately $7,800 that most people don't even know exists.

The episode covers the real barriers young people face — cost of living increases, student loan debt, wages that haven't kept up with housing prices, and a rental market where you can't find anything under $2,000. Jen doesn't sugarcoat it. But she also doesn't let young people use those barriers as excuses to self-disqualify without even trying.

Her verdict: It is NOT impossible. But you have to be smart, stop overspending, ask for help, and reach out to a lender six months before you think you're ready. And stop buying coffee every day.

In this episode you'll learn: → Why the average buyer age of 40 is misleading → The 5 biggest myths stopping young people from buying → Every loan type and the actual minimum down payment for each → The minimum credit score you actually need → Grants and programs most buyers don't know exist → The $7,800 Maryland tax break for first-time buyers → What Jen's youngest buyer (19 years old) did to make it work → The exact steps to take starting today if you want to buy

New episodes weekly. Follow Jen Fitze on social media for daily real estate tips.

Thanks for listening to The Fitze Is Right with Jen Fitze... the real estate podcast that tells you what your agent won't.

New episodes drop every other week. If this episode helped you or made your jaw drop, leave a 5-star review; it's the single best way to help new listeners find the show.

Got a real estate horror story of your own? We want to hear it. Send your story to @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate and Jen might read and react to it live on a future episode.

CONNECT WITH JEN: All socials @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate

WORK WITH JEN: Buying or selling a home in Maryland? Jen has over 20 years of experience helping families in Harford County, Baltimore County, and beyond. Reach out at jensellsmd@gmail.com

In Episode 14 of The Fitze Is Right, Maryland realtor Jen Fitze wraps up her two-part comments series — reading and reacting to the comments you left on Episodes 7 through 12. And the internet did not disappoint.

From Episode 7’s story about Jocelynn buying her first home at 24, someone commented “Nobody buys a home under 40 these days.” Jen has thoughts — and she’s dedicating an entire future episode to proving them wrong. Another commenter asked why anyone would buy when they could just keep renting. Jen’s response: “You might as well open up the window and throw your money out.”

The home inspection episode sparked a debate with actual inspection companies in the comments. One company corrected Jen about whether inspectors can move furniture. Jen clarified — they’re not required to, and if something is inaccessible, the seller has to move it themselves. Another commenter told Jen to “stick with selling, not inspecting.” A third told her to cover up her tattoos. Jen’s response to that one involves pea pods, carrots, and her husband.

The beach condo episode brought out the economists. Someone calculated that Jen only made $34K per year on her $270K to $475K flip. Jen breaks down why that math misses the point — seasonal rental properties aren’t about profit, they’re about breaking even while someone else pays your mortgage. She also reveals the thermostat war with tenants who kept turning the AC to dangerous levels, and Airbnb’s refusal to help when the unit froze.

Short sales are making a comeback — Jen reveals that COVID-era buyers who overpaid are now underwater and having to short sale, rent out, or bring money to get out. Her advice on timing the market: “You can’t. There’s never the perfect time.”

The FAQ episode’s comments brought the heat. The white van story continues to generate safety discussions. The $675K listing that sold for $677 after being listed at $850K is still Jen’s most-discussed moment. And a commenter criticized Jen’s “persona” — only for Jen to reveal the agent who beat her does daily “get ready with me” videos. “The honest one didn’t get it.”

In this episode you’ll learn: → Why renting is “throwing money out the window” according to Jen → The real economics of seasonal vacation rentals → Why short sales are coming back in 2026 → Whether you can time the real estate market (spoiler: you can’t) → What happens when inspectors can’t access parts of the house → Why listing agents sometimes lie about your home’s value → Jen’s response to being told to cover her tattoos

New episodes weekly. Follow Jen Fitze on social media for daily real estate tips.

Thanks for listening to The Fitze Is Right with Jen Fitze... the real estate podcast that tells you what your agent won't.

New episodes drop every other week. If this episode helped you or made your jaw drop, leave a 5-star review; it's the single best way to help new listeners find the show.

Got a real estate horror story of your own? We want to hear it. Send your story to @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate and Jen might read and react to it live on a future episode.

CONNECT WITH JEN: All socials @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate

WORK WITH JEN: Buying or selling a home in Maryland? Jen has over 20 years of experience helping families in Harford County, Baltimore County, and beyond. Reach out at jensellsmd@gmail.com

In Episode 13 of The Fitze Is Right, Maryland realtor Jen Fitze goes back to the beginning and reads the comments you've been leaving on every episode — starting with Episodes 1 through 6. The love, the hate, the corrections, and the ones that genuinely made her question humanity.

From the very first episode about black mold and a drug raid, people had opinions. Someone asked if the home inspector should be liable for missing mold behind walls — Jen explains exactly why they're not and what inspectors can and can't do. Others said her story was fake. She has the pictures.

Episode 2's tree dream buyer is still generating questions. Is she still in the house? Yes — Jen still drives by to check. Can buyers just back out of a contract? No — and both brokerages can sue you if you try.

Episode 3 is where things got heated. The Facebook post episode produced clips that hit nearly a million views, and the comments reflect it. One person admitted to selling a house that was struck by lightning and completely rewired — and never disclosed it. Another buyer found water damage, buckets, and brand new shingles hidden behind a garage. The house dropped $100,000 in two weeks. Someone said using a realtor is a waste of money. Jen's response: "Let me send you my 173-item checklist."

Jen also breaks down Maryland's disclosure vs. disclaimer system — most sellers choose to tell buyers almost nothing — and explains what a CLUE report is and why every buyer should request one.

Episode 4 brings the love letter debate. Buyers used to submit family photos and children's drawings with their offers. It violates Fair Housing and Jen explains exactly why. Also addressed: the "realtor" pronunciation debate that won't die.

Episode 5 features a respectful disagreement with George, a mortgage broker of 26 years who thinks Jen's $25K pricing strategy is wrong. Jen disagrees — strongly. And a supporter named Tammy shares a story about a seller who overpriced by $100K, went through three agents, and sold for exactly what Jen would have suggested.

Episode 6 wraps with someone telling Jen to "stop trading in fear" about roof inspections. Jen's response involves Nebraska, corn, and a reality check about what happens when you ignore missing shingles.

Part 2 — covering Episodes 7 through 12 — is coming next week.

In this episode you'll learn: → Why home inspectors aren't liable for hidden mold behind furniture → What happens legally if you try to back out of a contract → What a CLUE report is and why it's the "Carfax" for houses → The difference between disclosure and disclaimer in Maryland → Why love letters to sellers violate Fair Housing → How to handle overpriced sellers who won't listen → Jen's response to every type of hate comment

New episodes weekly. Follow Jen Fitze on social media for daily real estate tips.

Thanks for listening to The Fitze Is Right with Jen Fitze... the real estate podcast that tells you what your agent won't.

New episodes drop every other week. If this episode helped you or made your jaw drop, leave a 5-star review; it's the single best way to help new listeners find the show.

Got a real estate horror story of your own? We want to hear it. Send your story to @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate and Jen might read and react to it live on a future episode.

CONNECT WITH JEN: All socials @jenniferfitzecompassrealestate

WORK WITH JEN: Buying or selling a home in Maryland? Jen has over 20 years of experience helping families in Harford County, Baltimore County, and beyond. Reach out at jensellsmd@gmail.com