How Much Should I Save for a 20 % Down Payment?

A first-time house shopper wrote into the show for advice on how to approach the crazy, red hot housing market we are currently in. The writer wants to buy her first home, but is unsure whether she will have enough money to put down as house prices rise at a rapid pace. Jesse reminds us that, most importantly, cash equals options, and it's never a bad thing to have more cash on hand. He advises her to become an expert on her local real estate market, and really think about why she wants to buy, and what exactly she needs from a home before taking the plunge into home ownership.

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