Priced out of The Good Life

For young Nebraskans, homeownership grows increasingly out of reach

Year after year, The Good Life is becoming less attainable for Nebraskans. Paychecks can’t keep up with home prices. It’s pricing out young Nebraskans who dream of becoming homeowners. It’s leading to apartments outpacing single-family homes in Omaha’s construction scene and skyrocketing home prices in Lincoln. It’s forcing bidding wars in the smallest of towns and pushing communities to try out new solutions like down payment assistance. Over the next few weeks, we’ll examine the realities and barriers to homeownership across the state.

Maggie and Coby Smallridge were ready to buy a home.