I think the first thing to do is to set up your family in something affordable and buy the home if it's some place you can see yourself for at least 7 years. If not, rent. The key is to figure out exactly what it takes to live each month and then start looking for ways to create the passive income to support it. You have to have a day job to pay for everything now but spend extra time learning about investments and stashing away cash anyway you can - IRA, savings, etc etc. No need to be in a hurry, it's a lifelong pursuit. It actually happens very fast but very fast is usually like 10-15 years. I'm 42, bought my first properties when I was 28. 14 years goes by fast. 6 more years and I'll be an overnight success at 48 years old. I can talk more later but be careful about buying thing by yourself. Single family rentals aren't as easy to deal with as it would seem. I'd look for larger syndicated deals or REITS. Gotta run for now.