The median age for first-time home-buyers in the U.S. is now 40 years old, just four years after that number was 33 years old, and in the Bay Area, the market for people looking for a starter home is even more daunting.

Realtor David Dupont has sold more than 300 homes in his career, but he sees a very different environment these days for homebuyers and realtors.

"You can think of the housing market like a staircase." Dupont said. "In order for the second to be healthy, the first has to be healthy."

Dupont spoke as he was getting ready to list one of his client's homes in San Rafael. The latest Redfin housing data shows the median price of a Marin County home is just over $1.5 million.

"The best part about this house is the backyard," said Dupont.

He acknowledges this house isn't the

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