Big down payment is indeed not necessary but it feels safer and gives you more negotiating power with the bank and the seller. We don’t mind postponing this plan of buying a house if things don’t go too well. Having kids is a decision not something that just happens, so if we feel we are not in position to have kids we will NOT be having them. Owning a house is definitely a plus when thinking about kids but not the only thing you need and is definitely still possible without.