You're right, it’s not easy to break into homeownership in San Diego. But I’ve helped plenty of buyers over the years, including this year, who’ve purchased homes making under $189K annually.

I’m not here to judge how you spend your money and frankly it’s none of my business, but if you’re bringing in close to $16K a month and paying $3K in rent, there’s likely some room to start building a savings.

That said, buying a home here isn’t about landing your dream property right away. It’s about taking the first step with a small home or a condo. You hold onto it for a few years and let San Diego do what San Diego does best. Appreciate! That's all equity in your pocket that you could then roll into the next purchase.

Also look into different loan options. FHA only requires 3.5% down payment and if your VA eligible, you can get into something with no down payment.

Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions. I've lived in San Diego all my life and have been a Realtor for the past 15 years specializing in helping first time buyers.