Watching the thread since it opened, but still can't figure out the numbers for no financing. With $600~ spend, even if you save $1000 a month ($1600 is pretty high for Tampa rent, wherever you are staying), if you want to buy a $150K home (low end in FL), that would equal 150 months, or 12.5 years. Way too long of a wait (assuming home prices don't go up, etc.). And at that point in your life I don't know if you'd want a starter home anyway. Of course timing can change if you invest, etc, but it won't be within next 3 years for sure.