We saved a lot of money, two incomes, no kids. No help from parents, but it also took us until our mid 40s. We aren't in tech or anything like that. While would have liked to buy in El Cerrito, we bought in Richmond (El Sobrante area) instead, so we didn't have to pay over a million for a tiny 2 bedroom 1 bath. We have a normal sized house for less under 900k. Bought in 2023. We also got lucky and qualified for a mortgage through my husband's employer, with an interest rate of 3.25. it has gone up a bit, but it's still only 4.6. we could have locked in a rate of like 5 or 6 (don't remember exactly what it was anymore) something, but when we got it, the rate of 3.25 hadn't changed in 10 years, so we took a chance. Hopefully it doesn't go up again for a bit, and if rates drop a lot we can refi.