CHICAGO — Ndidi A. Okakpu has been trying to buy her first home for three years.
First, the pandemic got in the way, causing her to put her search on hold. Then, in 2021 and 2022, emergency expenses cut into her savings. Volatility in the housing market, including high prices and a limited supply of homes for sale, has also posed a challenge.
“The supply went down really badly, and so all the wonderful spots you were looking for weren’t there anymore,” said Okakpu, who is the director of development for a Chicago-area nonprofit. “Then the few items that seemed okay were extremely expensive.”
