Why are so many first-time buyers in Fresno/Clovis giving up on a yard?

I’ve been working with a lot of people lately who are trying to buy their first home in Fresno or Clovis, and I’m noticing a weird trend. Everyone seems to be convinced that they have to settle for these tiny new builds with basically zero yard space just to get into the market.

I get it. Interest rates and prices are a headache. But I keep seeing people get discouraged because they think they have to choose between a 20-year-old house with a decent lot in an older neighborhood or a brand-new box where you can touch your neighbor's wall from your bedroom window.

I’m a Realtor here, and I spend all day looking at these listings. There are still spots—especially in pockets of Fresno and some of the more established parts of Clovis—where you can get a yard for your dog or a garden, but people are so burned out by the search that they stop looking for them.

I actually put together a quick way to look at how different neighborhoods stack up on lot size vs. price for my clients at realtorkang.com. It’s free, and it’s helped a few people realize they don't have to sacrifice their sanity just to get a mortgage. I’m not saying it's easy, but don't let the 'move-in ready' marketing hype blind you to what you're actually getting for your money.

Has anyone else here felt like the 'starter home' has lost its backyard? Are you guys prioritizing the square footage of the house or the actual space outside?