The proposal to assist first-time home buyers with a $25,000 for a down payment might not result in affordability improvements.

If a seller knows you are first-time home buyer, the seller will know you have a ‘free’ 25k, meaning they can either increase their price or not accept a lower bid.

This ‘assistance’ would then be a transfer from the taxpayer to the homeowner.

Purchase subsidies are generally bad solutions.