For years, the conventional wisdom around buying a home went something like this: start small, live there for a few years, build some equity, and then move up when life (and income) allows.

But the market — and buyers themselves — have changed.

Lately, I’ve been seeing more couples question whether the traditional 3–5 year “starter home” still makes sense. Instead, some are choosing to buy a home they can stay in long term — even if that means stretching thoughtfully at the outset.

This isn’t the right strategy for everyone. But it is one worth understanding.