The evidence is mounting: It’s increasingly tough for those in their 20s and 30s to climb onto the bottom rung of the homeownership ladder.

“It’s kind of a double-whammy for first-time homebuyers. Inventory of starter homes is very low and competition for homes is very high,” says Felipe Chacon, a housing economist for Trulia, which tracks markets throughout the country.

Indeed, Chacon’s research shows a severe “mismatch” between the demand for starter homes and available supply. A leading reason is that in recent years there’s been a dearth of entry-level home construction, especially in areas where millennials wish to live.

To address the affordability problem, one obvious strategy is to seek parental help. If your parents have the means, they could provide cash assistance for your down payment and closing costs. Also, assuming their income and credit is solid, they could co-sign for your mortgage.

Daren Blomquist, a senior vice president at Attom Data Solutions, a real estate data company, says that research shows that nearly a quarter of homebuyers now have “co-borrowers,” many of whom are parents.

Another approach is to compromise somewhat on your standards when selecting the right home to buy. Chacon says young purchasers can save as much as eight percent off the market value of a home if they’re willing to take one with some correctable defects. Indeed, he and his wife did well when they acquired a ranch-style place in Texas that needed a limited amount of work.

To outdo rival buyers, they were willing to address minor issues, such as faucet leaks, locks that needed replacement and clutter that needed clearing.

Chacon and his wife purchased the property with a 3.5 percent down Federal Housing Administration mortgage, which also made it more affordable. He encourages young purchasers to explore such a low-down-payment government-backed loan and says too few buyers are aware of this option.

Here are a few first-time buyers:

-- Restrict yourself to your financial “comfort zone.”

Merrill Ottwein, a real estate broker and former president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, cautions buyers of all ages against taking any mortgage that feels uncomfortably large.

“It’s up to you to create a realistic budget and limit your loan amount,” Ottwein says.

“The good news is that today’s young buyers are mostly very conservative. During the Great Recession, they saw how easy it was to lose a home if you overspent,” he says.

-- Seek a property where you could house a roommate or two.

“For lots of young folks it’s a huge plus to have a roommate who pays rent and helps offset their mortgage expenses,” Ottwein says.

What kind of property is most attractive to renters?

Ottwein recommends you seek a home with a bedroom suite that includes a private bath so a roommate could live more autonomously. A separate, outside entrance to the suite would be ideal. Also, a place near a college campus could also be an especially good bet.

-- Look for an energy-efficient home.

After taking ownership, many first-time buyers are stunned at the size of their outlays for upkeep. They hadn’t expected to spend so much for everything from lawn fertilizer to plumbers’ bills. The scope of their energy costs also comes as an unpleasant surprise.

Obviously, many costs associated with homeownership, such as taxes and insurance, are unavoidable. But savvy home shoppers can more easily contain their energy costs by selecting an energy-efficient property that’s well insulated and has double-pane windows, says Sid Davis, a longtime real estate broker and author of “Your Eco-Friendly Home.”

He suggests that before agreeing to buy a particular property, you review at least six months’ worth of utility bills from the current owner. Also, make sure the home inspector you hire gives you a well-considered estimate of your utility costs going forward.

“The inspector should tell you about the quality of insulation in the property, and energy ratings for the windows. Double-pane windows can save you as much as 15 to 20 percent on your utility bills compared with single-pane windows,” Davis says.

-- Don’t forget to factor lifestyle into your home selection.

You needn’t live in the immediate vicinity of friends to stay close. But you could find life in a faraway suburb very lonely if the neighborhood where you move is a long drive from close friends.

“A great home purchase isn’t just about lots of square footage and lovely features. It’s also about finding the right location to support a lifestyle that’s fun and fulfilling,” Ottwein says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

The Great Recession is fading into memory. But many of the young adults who came of age during that austere period are still living in a spare bedroom in their family home. What happens when their parents wish to sell the place? Generational conflict.

“It’s a combustible situation when parents decide to downsize, but their kids don’t want to move,” says Tom Early, a veteran real estate broker and past president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org).

Zhenchao Qian, a sociology professor at Brown University, says that despite improvement in the overall economy, the number of young adults living with parents remains at a “relatively high level.” One factor is that millennials are marrying later than previous generations and are more likely to use their parents’ residence as a safe base before they settle permanently.

“Many children of baby boomers are stuck in a prolonged adolescence. They’re used to getting their way and many parents have been willing to float them indefinitely,” says Bruce Tulgan, author of “Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage Generation Y.”

Tulgan says parents who decide to sell the old family house are often surprised to get a “world of guff” from their grown kids who want their childhood memories left untouched.

“No matter their age and level of independence, lots of kids insist that the family house be kept like a museum -- where they can return at any time and stay in their childhood bedroom,” Tulgan says.

Do you have a grown child living in a residence you plan to sell? If so, these few pointers could prove useful:

-- Solidify your moving plans before informing your offspring.

Kathleen Shaputis, author of “The Crowded Nest Syndrome,” says the parents of grown children should put their own housing preferences ahead of their kids’ wishes and not give them veto power over their choices.

“Make sure your plans are firm before breaking the news to your kids. If you tell them before you’re certain, they’ll smell fear and confusion and might try to take advantage of any cracks in your thinking,” she says.

On the other hand, Shaputis says it’s unwise to make a major real estate move without informing your grown children before the changes occur.

“If you spring your plans on the kids after they’ve happened, this could come as a rude shock that causes needless conflict within the family,” she says.

In what setting should you choose to tell your grown kids of your plans? Shaputis says it’s ideal to choose a restaurant or another public venue.

“Any outbursts that might occur are easier to handle in a public place,” she says.

-- Help your kids with the emotional elements of the move.

“Some kids are very tradition-oriented. For instance, they could be very upset that Thanksgiving dinner will no longer be held in the same place as it was for years,” Shaputis says.

Though you don’t want to forfeit your overall housing plans to shield your grown children from disappointment, she says you can help them make a smoother transition with reassurances that they’re welcome to visit no matter where you live.

-- Assist your children in finding another place to live.

Do you have grown children living with you who will need to move when your home is sold? If so, Shaputis says you can help soften this transition by helping them identify ways to live independently.

“Sit down with them and brainstorm about how they could make it on their own. Maybe they could use some help finding an apartment and a roommate to help share the rent. Or maybe they need suggestions for finding a second job that lets them become economically self-sufficient,” she says.

Of course, financial realities may require both parents and their grown children to make some temporary accommodations.

“Sometimes, the whole family simply has to pull together to make ends meet. This has been going on since the beginning of time,” she says.

-- Realize that good parenting is not always about yielding to the kids.

Alyson Schafer, a psychotherapist and author of several books on parenting, says there’s no reason parents should feel guilty when they assert their right to make their own housing choices, especially after their kids have finished their schooling.

“What’s important is that you keep on loving the kids and show them you do. That’s what they really want. And remember, you can love them from any type of home -- even a high-rise condo in the city,” Schafer says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

There’s still a severe shortage of available homes -- especially in popular starter-level neighborhoods. Does this justify overconfidence on the part of potential sellers? Not at all, says Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org).

“Home prices are still rising above incomes and way too fast in many markets,” says Yun, adding that many buyers are also frustrated by the poor selection of properties that fit their budget and wish list.

Indeed, he says the second half of the year’s selling market “got off to a somewhat sour note as sales of existing sales in July inched backward.” Despite low mortgage rates, some would-be homeowners are now starting to retreat.

In reality, real estate agents say that no matter the market, sellers should avoid complacency about demand for their property. This is especially so if the place they intend to sell is a homely house, with an unsightly or outdated appearance.

Eric Tyson, a personal finance expert and co-author of “House Selling For Dummies,” says the aging of much of America’s housing stock is a turnoff to many would-be buyers.

He cautions that people selling a house with a homely exterior should be doubly careful not to price it too high.

“No matter the market, people aren’t going to overpay for an ugly house,” Tyson says.

Here are a few pointers for sellers:

-- Try to look at your property objectively.

“It’s a rare seller who would ever admit their property looks bad from the street,” says Sharon L. Ellsworth, a real estate broker and owner of a Re/Max Realty office.

Those seeking a candid assessment of their home’s exterior appearance may wish to survey relatives.

“More than your friends, your relatives are going to give you their honest opinion. And this can be helpful when you decide what price to ask,” Ellsworth says.

Also, take seriously the pricing recommendations of real estate pros -- particularly if two or more agents you poll recommend roughly the same list price.

-- Make sure your marketing materials emphasize the positive.

“Rarely does a house sell on advertising alone,” says Ellsworth, who’s affiliated with the Council of Residential Specialists (www.crs.com).

Still, creating effective marketing materials can help draw people to a property they might otherwise be unwilling to visit due to its lack of curb appeal.

“Pick out the two or three strengths of the house and be sure your agent highlights these in your marketing,” Tyson says.

What are some strong points that often influence buyers?

“Maybe you have a great floor plan, wonderful natural light, a desirable location or excellent schools. Try to remember the factors that drew you to the house when you bought it,” Tyson says.

-- Hire a top-tier photographer.

Most buyers now preview properties online before agreeing to a visit. It’s now the norm for listing agents to post at least a half-dozen pictures of a place online.

Your agent may be quite skillful with digital photography. Yet if your home shows poorly from the street, Tyson says you could benefit from the skills of a professional photographer.

“With the professional, you’ll get the best possible camera angles -- for both inside and outside shots,” he says.

Your listing agent may ask you to cover the photographer’s fees. Tyson says the money could be well spent if it brings in prospects who might otherwise shun the place.

-- Request that your listing agent stage a “broker’s open house.”

Most people are familiar with public open houses -- where anyone can show up. But Tyson says a more effective sales tool is the “broker’s open,” limited to real estate agents from the surrounding area.

“These kinds of open houses are incredibly important. That’s because the vast, vast majority of buyers still work with agents. And if agents come through the house and like it, they’re more likely to show it to their clients,” Tyson says.

A place with an unattractive façade can still attract buyer interest if it has a compelling extra, like a remodeled kitchen or a home office, he says. The key to finding willing buyers is to draw enough visitors inside.

-- Consider installing a new front door.

It’s rare for listing agents to recommend major upgrades to the exterior of a home. Costly changes to the property’s façade -- of the sort that involve architects or contractors -- are usually unwarranted.

But one upgrade that can prove worthwhile is a new front door. The cost? Usually a few hundred dollars, at most.

“The front door is the focal point of the house. If it’s attractive, people will focus on this,” Ellsworth says.

If you don’t want to spend the time or money to replace your front door, consider less costly steps such as repainting the door or adding new polished brass hardware.

-- Put a premium on cosmetic upgrades.

Not all sellers have time to make surface enhancements to their home, especially if they’re making an urgent move. But those with sufficient time and cash generally more than recoup their expenses.

“Money spent on landscaping is especially good if your house has minimal curb appeal,” Ellsworth says.

Freshly pruned shrubs and new greenery help entice buyers who might otherwise refuse to venture inside.

Usually, outlays for interior painting, carpet replacement or hardwood floor improvements also pay off.

“Do the maximum on these kinds of cosmetic upgrades. That’s what we always tell sellers,” Ellsworth says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)