<prompt> Human: I know that first-time homebuyers can cash out their Roth IRA without penalty, but I cant help but shake the feeling that abandoning my Roth IRA which has grown at 8-9 since inception is a bad decision. Im 30 with just over 50k in my Roth IRA, and I am weighing the decision to continue renting versus buying a home. I have the option of a VA loan, and my dad offered to provide some help towards a down-payment. Also its not like my IRA is my only retirement option--Im looking at retiring with social security, TSP, and a federal pension. I make about 55kyear.Even with options, I just feel like a 4 or even 5 mortgage isnt worth liquidating my IRA and starting over. Im having trouble even picturing a scenario where this might make sense.Any thoughts?  <response>: Off the top of my head, I cant think of a scenario where liquidating retirement for a home makes sense, but that doesnt mean that scenario doesnt exist. With that said, I wouldnt touch your IRA, your gut feeling is probably right.Also, I would look into other options than just VA. VA mortgages are the most expensive mortgage you can get, followed by FHA, and then conventional being the cheapest. Dont do a VA just because youre military, take the time to see if you qualify for a conventional mortgage. You should be shopping multiple credit unions and banks for mortgage pricing. 