There was once an unwritten formula for joining America's middle class. Get a job. Save some money. Buy a modest first house. Build equity. Sell it several years later and use the proceeds to purchase something larger. The house didn't have to be impressive. Two bedrooms, one bathroom and a small yard were enough. It was a starter home. In 2026, that first rung on the property ladder is increasingly difficult to reach. The numbers are striking. Realtor.com estimates the typic