That sounds… wildly specific to the US. The game is very different in Germany, where practically no one can afford to buy property in their late twenties, or if they can, it’s not economically sustainable to do so.
Most new apartments are strictly divided into tiers—singles and students in their early twenties with very little money; couples without children (yet), but lots of disposable income; families with one or two children, and a double income; and elderly couples. If you don’t fall into these demographics, you’re bound for a rough time.