I'm 26 and own three properties (two rented out).

Property One: Saved $100/m from ages 14-20 into an RRSP. Bought a duplex in Chicoutimi, Qc for $138k with 5% down with that. Eventually got a raise ($500/m) and just rolled that into my TFSA instead of spending it. Moved to Winnipeg. Hired property manager and rented out the duplex.

Property Two: Used TFSA money to buy a sweet bachelor condo for $170k, again 5% down, when I was 24. Got married / had kid. Hired a property manager and rented out the condo.

Property Three: Racked up 4 months of per-diems when travelling for work. Spent the perdiem money on a 1200 square foot 3 bedroom for $185k for 5% down this year. Wife cosigned, but might not have been necessary.

I'm making alright money for a family breadwinner (~$70k/yr) and my employer (RCAF) paid a lot of closing costs - but the biggest factors are a conscientious lifestyle and geographical flexibility. My friends have said that they'll never be able to afford a house - but they're spending $400 on car payments, $200 on insurance, $100 on gas, $100 on maintenance (average), and $100 on parking. They could have a 5% downpayment for a $200k house in less than a year if they go car-free, but are prioritizing (sometimes mistakenly, but often justifiably) owning a car instead. Some are single and spending $1400/m on rent+utilities instead of renting a room. Most just value their privacy, but some just haven't considered saving that $10k/year by renting a single room instead.

"But you can't buy a house for $200k! Everything costs $800k!"

You can absolutely buy a house for $200k. You just can't where real estate is in demand. $200k is a goddamn mansion in Saguenay. Small but comfortable in Winnipeg, and will definitely go far on the east coast. And it will take you even further internationally. I understand not wanting to move far just to afford .17acres and a well-organized pile of wood and copper. Totally understandable. But if you're comfortable with that, affording a house is significantly easier.