According to information in the latest Realtors® Confidence Index, first time buyers were 32 percent of total buyers in February 2012. Normally first time buyers are in the neighborhood of 40 percent of total residential sales, according to NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

Realtors® have reported that investors offering all cash-sales to sellers have crowded out first-time buyers in some cases. Unsuccessful first-time buyers typically continue their property search, sometimes making a number of bids before securing a property.