<prompt> Human: In January I finished paying off the last of my debt. More than anything I want to buy a house. I am diligently saving from every paycheck but fear itll be like 5 years before I can have enough saved. Im working towards 3-6 months living expenses. Then 10-15k for a down payment. Im a first time home buyer in Minnesota and therefore qualify for down payment assistance of anywhere between 5-10k. I have about 5500 in savings. Every check I put 250 in. 500month I am also saving for my eventual car replacement currently at 1000 and car repairs currently at 1100. Both get 200 month. 400 total. Everything else gets split up into different accounts then- rent, utilities etc. Given what Im saving towards, I feel like I should have 1012k for emergency job loss type scenario thats basically untouchable, and then maybe 15k or so for a down payment. That about another 4 years of saving. Im 38 and feel impatient. Thats how one gets into trouble though Should I just buy a very cheap house to get into the housing market? My rent is just about 1000 a month here after utilities. I have excellent credit, no debt, but only make about 60k year. Gov job. Terrified of making bad financial decisions. Have done so in my past and had to dig myself out. Looking to avoid pitfalls but also want to be a homeowner before Im in my mid 40s.  <response>: 20 plus an extra 6k for closing costs 