Here's my situation:1) OK FICO score (~640). Working on improving it.2) OK handle on debt (at most $500 on credit card, $17,000 in student loans).3) Current salary is about $31k, but I have reason to believe a promotion is coming in the next 12 months.4) Median house price in my area is currently $216k.5) I have been putting about 5% into a 401k at work, but prefer not to touch that, even for a house. I have a few hundred dollars in company stock (which is down right now) and another few hundred in a savings account. Other than that, no savings.6) Current rent is about $500/month.Given all of the above, what steps should I be taking now to get ready to buy a house in a couple of years? Is it better to pay off debt as fast as I can, or to put money into the bank for a down payment? I'm also keeping one credit card (trying to keep it paid off each month), with a view to raising my credit score. Is this a good strategy? Finally, when should I contact a realtor?Would you recommend forgoing adding to my 401k (and passing up the company match) in order to build up my down payment faster?

visit daveramsey.com to learn ur hard lessons from others mistakes.cut ur lifestyle back to minimum.work 2 more pt/tm jobs . save it all.read 'house buying for dummies ' twice over and understand.increase ur base pay by 25% some how and save it.look for houses that u can really afford, not what some banker realtor say u can . do real world math.so we will not get to visit.

I would work to save as much as possible now. Based on today's income and interest rates, you qualify for a $100,000 mortgage MAX. Anything over this, will require a down payment.

I would pay as much as possible on the debt and continue to save as much as possible so you'll have a larger down payment. The more down the smaller your monthly payment will be