Don't include your retirement savings. Leave it for retirement. Look to put down the smallest amt that leaves you with monthly expenses that you can reasonably pay. Look at FHA loans (regular and 203k), programs to help 1st time buyers, programs that help certain professions if you are in that profession (my area helps teachers for example). There are sometines programs for purchasing in certain locations. The programs are usually state or county based. Look at training programs for 1st time homebuyers.