How TikTok’s ‘Great Lock‑In’ Could Fuel the Next Generation’s Homebuying Hustle

These days, homeownership seems like a pipe dream to so many—but it doesn't have to be impossible.

If you’d like to enter 2026 in a new home, TikTok’s “Great Lock-In” trend may help you do just that—despite the rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates.

It’s all about prioritizing your goals during the last few months of 2025 so you can start the new year off on the right foot.

“The 'Great Lock-In' trend is one of the most encouraging things I’ve seen for younger generations considering homeownership. Rather than saving money in isolation, it feels almost like 'crowd saving,' where thousands of people are hyper-focused on the same goal and rooting for one another along the way,“ says Mosi Gatling, senior vice president of strategic growth and expansion at New American Funding in Tustin, CA.

What is the 'lock‑in' challenge?

The Great Lock-In trend encourages people to “lock in” or hyperfocus from September to December to pursue a goal, rather than waiting for the new year reset. Young people on social media have typically been focusing on their health, productivity, or finances to set themselves up for success in the upcoming new year. 

“This mentality may turn a difficult, sometimes intimidating, milestone into something more motivating and attainable,” explains Gatling.

Given the high prices associated with homeownership, this challenge could be a good way to save for a down payment, closing costs, or, if you already own a home, renovations.

Meet some lock‑in savers who are targeting home costs

Mikey Caloca has been documenting his journey to save up for his first home on Instagram. He started in August, which was earlier than some in the challenge, and has managed to save $33,013 toward his down payment for a farmhouse-style new build he hopes to move into in 2026.

His goal is $100,000, and while he's made significant strides, his journey illustrates that the lock-in mindset is about the slow and steady climb to success.

Over on TikTok, former real estate agent and influencer Quen Williams is offering guidance to first-time homebuyers who would like to jump on the Great Lock-In trend to buy a home in 2026.

She took the challenge a step further by creating “phases” to keep in mind while locking in, including an audit of your credit score, creating a budget, and getting documentation together to jump into making offers on homes faster.

“We’re getting you in a house next year,” she vows, confident that the Great Lock-In will be the push her viewers need. 

Can this viral hustle work in today’s housing market?

Experts we spoke with are divided on whether locking in could actually land you in the right position to buy a home at the start of 2026.

“Self-admittedly, I’m not always a huge fan of mortgage and/or financial planning tips and tricks that originate on TikTok, although the Great Lock-In trend did pique my interest,” says Brian Shahwan, vice president, mortgage banker, and broker at William Raveis Mortgage in New York City.

Shahwan acknowledges that a four-month lock-in period can be a great motivator to begin improving your financial situation and start turning the wheels for homeownership. He believes that the first few months are about staying consistent and building momentum—not about seeing huge results right away. 

“It’s more about sticking with it and laying the foundation. Think of it like changing your eating or exercise habits. You might not notice much at first, but with steady effort and discipline, real change will start to show,” explains Shahwan.

While optimistic about the lock-in mindset, Shahwan is keenly aware that many markets have a significant cost barrier to homeownership. Saving for a down payment may be easier said than done when you consider the average down payment amount was about 14.4%, or $30,250, nationally in the fourth quarter of 2024.

For example, let's say you earn $60,000 annually, or about $5,000 a month, and want to save a down payment for a $429,990 house. In this scenario, 20% down would be $85,998, while 10% down would be $42,999. 

If you aim to save a down payment in just four months, you’ll need $21,500 per month for 20% down and $14,333 per month for 10%.

“Saving this amount over a four-month span is unrealistic in most situations,” says Shahwan.

The reality of locking in

It’s also important to acknowledge the trade-offs of this strategy, as extreme saving can lead to burnout, neglect of debt repayment, or skipping essentials like insurance. 

“The Great Lock-In is most successful when it complements a longer-term savings plan and is adapted to someone’s actual income, debt, and cost of living. It is not a one-size-fits-all plan but may motivate you to start saving consistently,” says Melissa Murphy Pavone, founder of Mindful Financial Partners in Westhampton Beach, NY. 

Before you go all in with the Great Lock-In, Shahwan recommends you take a realistic, sustainable approach and review your current financial situation with a mortgage professional and financial adviser. This can help ensure a feasible plan that is built to achieve short- and long-term goals toward homeownership.

Don’t forget that while mortgage rates are volatile and markets shift, the most important part of this challenge is building your savings, so you have options.

“When the lock-in period ends, you can reassess. Maybe it will be the right time to buy, or maybe it’ll make more sense to continue saving and strengthen your position. Either way, you’ve given yourself the gift of choice—and that’s what puts you in control of your path to ownership,” explains Gatling.