My niece bought at the start of covid. 250k home on a single income, just staring out in her career, with student loan debt, and would not take help from any of us.

I just helped an older relative buy a home last year, 3% down for a widower, no debt, retired on a fixed income, and would not take any financial help. She is living rent free and making a decent bit on the property while not having to do any regular maintenance (shoveling mowing and the like) by adding an ADU for her to live and renting the remainder.

It's definitely doable it just takes a plan and working towards it vs expecting immediate gratification.