It’s never been easy to save enough to buy a home, but it’s gotten easier with a lot of newer programs/options that can get you in one for little to nothing down anymore. As you mentioned, location can play a big part in that too. You may even have to rent a room out to family or friends, if you’re not married. I still believe it’s one of the best investments you can make, because as stated above, where you live is very likely going to be the biggest expenditure of your entire life, so if you can recoup some of that, including to the point of not having to pay for it practically at all eventually, not much else can compare. Thanks.
https://themortgagereports.com/11306/buy-a-home-with-a-low-downpayment-or-no-downpayment-at-all
“but it’s gotten easier”
not if there are not houses for sale ... a recent report in a local newspaper indicated less than 2,000 dwellings are for sale on the front range of colorado extending from castle rock to fort collins, and 1,000 dwellings just burned to the ground in the Marshall fire a few days ago with practically zero hope of rebuilding any time soon due to a paucity of supply of building materials and labor ... the housing market in colorado is frozen because if you sell there’s nothing to buy as a replacement ... all thanks to Covid Joe ...