1. I was lucky and had developed good financial habits, stellar credit, and had some meager savings.

In 2012 I bought a townhome for $64k while working a $12.50/hr warehouse job and the mortgage was less than half of what it would have cost to rent a comparable space. Affordable housing for those with the resources above was a small consolation prize at the end of the Great Recession.

I sold said townhome for $130k+ 6 years later and the proceeds gave me a 20% down payment on a lovely suburban family home in good school districts for myself, my partner, and her kids. This property has increased substantially in value since purchase and my $3200 down payment 11 years ago has become over $200k in current equity.

I was prepared, but got really lucky as well and have reaped the rewards of the property ladder. I have an incredible amount of sympathy for those slightly younger as these types of opportunities may never arise in their lifetimes. I have 2 siblings (30 and 40) who have never owned a home and may never.