(CNN) - The age of a first-time homebuyer is the oldest it has ever been.

The median age is now 40 years old.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the share of first-time buyers in the market has also fallen to 21%, a record low.

That group of buyers was up to 50% in 2007, just before the Great Recession.

The association says research reveals two evolving snapshots of the housing market.

One group of buyers has significant housing equity and can make big down payments and all-cash offers. Meanwhile, the first-time buyer group continues to have difficulty getting into the market.

High mortgage rates and home prices continue to be barriers.

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