2 – Save money… save more money…put it in a CD and build up as much cash as you can. Set a goal and try to make it happen. Once you get in the habit of putting aside even a few hundred a month, you will see how easy it is.
3 – Buying a home with someone who is not your spouse is not advised. Perhaps in another 2 years home prices will be closer to the bottom of the market, but more important perhaps you guys will be married!
In the long run those with patience to make prudent investments based on pure data and market analysis rather then emotions always do better.
