Suburbs Where First Home Buyers Are Winning at Auction

First-time buyers captured four of the six homes that went under the hammer in College Hill during the last two weeks of June 2026.

The trend matters now because Wichita home prices have climbed 11 percent since January while mortgage rates hover near 6.4 percent, pushing many entry-level purchasers to rely on down-payment assistance to compete at auction.

City of Wichita Housing Division staff reported that the First-Time Homebuyer Grant covered up to $15,000 in closing costs for qualifying applicants who closed on properties along 13th Street and Yale Avenue. At the same time, the Sedgwick County Homebuyer Assistance Program provided an additional $8,000 forgivable loan for buyers who attended the June orientation session held at the Wichita Public Library on Main Street.

Neighborhoods posting the strongest results

In Delano, three of five auctioned houses sold to first-time purchasers between May 15 and July 1, with final bids ranging from $178,000 to $204,000. Riverside saw two similar wins on properties near the Arkansas River levy, where buyers used the same grant stack to outbid investors who had dominated those sales in 2025.

Numbers and next steps

Local Multiple Listing Service data released July 7 shows first-time buyers accounted for 38 percent of auction sales citywide in the second quarter, up from 22 percent in the same period last year, with the median winning bid for those homes sitting at $192,500. Prospective buyers can schedule a free pre-qualification appointment with the Housing Division before the next scheduled auction block on July 22 at the Sedgwick County Courthouse.

Applications for the combined grant and loan package close July 18 for anyone planning to bid that week.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.