Divide and conquer, each state take over a group. Each state offer shelter, food and basic job training. Each state offer mental health treatment.

Citizens can donate and support their state for these! Private fund raising for National Alliance to End Homelessness, Volunteers of America etc..

Considering your income is similar to many couples combined incomes, it seems you’re just looking at homes outside of your budget. How many single people are truly searching for 1.5 million dollar homes. There are many homes you could afford, it just depends on where you want to be and what type of home.

But please don’t act like you can’t buy something because you’re a single person.

You buy a townhouse. The SFH was an artifice of the particulars of the 20th century.

SFHs in much of the US is reaching the end of its useful life. Will be very expensive to keep those homes in functioning order for the next 20-30 years.

You can afford a house. Easily, as long as you have good credit.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 31, 350k job, I’m already past the age of average marriage and first born child and don’t run into too many other people my age with this income. Statistically in the top 1-2% income for my age bracket.

Still I feel I cannot afford a decent house around here. Take home pay is 16k a month after 401k and a 1.5M house runs 10k a month at least.

How are people my age buying homes when almost nobody earns my income?

Why does a single person need a house?

Anonymous wrote:Why buy a house? you will most likely marry in next 2-5 years and buy one with spouse.

If he is smart he won't get married.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 31, 350k job, I’m already past the age of average marriage and first born child and don’t run into too many other people my age with this income. Statistically in the top 1-2% income for my age bracket.

Still I feel I cannot afford a decent house around here. Take home pay is 16k a month after 401k and a 1.5M house runs 10k a month at least.

How are people my age buying homes when almost nobody earns my income?

You buy a house that costs less and that you can comfortably afford. Does this really need to be explained to you?

Why buy a house? you will most likely marry in next 2-5 years and buy one with spouse.

If you are a doctor or lawyer or small business owner I will *tentatively* say that you can expect your salary to keep growing despite being already so high at your age.

However, if you are in any other profession, unless you have premier skills that are extremely complicated and difficult for a company to acquire I'll be nervous if I were in your shoes. Yes some people luck out and end up overpaid.

Save save save save save. If you wait until next fall 2026 you may find good deals.

Don't fall for the idiots who say now is best time to buy because prices/rates keep going up don't time yeh market yada yada. No time the f**g market. Right now is not the time to buy. The economy is shaky and homes are absurdly overpriced with greedy boomers who think their unkept tiny home is worth millions please

OP find the cheapest house on the best neighborhood. Don't buy a house over 700k.

In your shoes (single, no kids), I would have basically lived large on 80K, with housemates, and saved a boatload of money for a few years.

You assume that this kind of salary that you are making will remain so for the next few years. Be prepared for RIFs, AI, etc. Do not sink your money in real estate right now because you do not need it.

My advice is don't buy a house. Prices are artificially inflated. And if you do - don't look for a dream house. Look for a small starter home that you get at a decent price.

Either save a boatload of cash or potentially buy a smaller, starter house to get on the property ladder. Buy not with living in mind but renting. But the best choice for now is not to buy at all. Buying a house to live in eats a lot of your money that could be earning money and house purchasing is getting prohibitively expensive - mortgage costs, home insurance, home owner tax, air con and other repairs - prices are out of control.

You need a lot of cash.

No problem buying a decent SFH in Fairfax on 40% of your income.

Anonymous wrote:All the single people I know buy townhouses because they don’t want to deal with yard work.

+1 op, if this is your goal, either build into that price yard care or recognize you will be spending 1-2 weekend days a month taking care of it all.