We are asking readers and listeners for their questions about all things homeownership and renting. Today, we're answering one of them. Submit your question below.

Bidding wars may be cooling and mortgage rates could dip below 6% next year. But the shortage of "starter homes" — smaller, more affordable houses — continues to lock many would-be first-time buyers out of the market.

Gabriel Veasey, a reader in Central Texas, has children who live near Austin, Texas. They've been hunting for their first home but can't find anything affordable. He asked:

Why can't they have the opportunity to buy the starter homes – the two bedroom, $200,000 [home] that's just what they need, instead of a three [bed], two [bath] or four [bed], three [bath] home for $400,000 to $500,000 that's just not

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