How does a young man get a house without a mortgage?

[Who Am I?]

You just have to hustle. I'm in my thirties and I can't afford a house. That's partially my fault, but if the economy hadn't tanked then I might be in a better situation.

Lucky for me, I bought my house before I ran into financial difficulties (of my own doing I will admit) and before the market crashed. If I had to buy a house now, no way would I be able to, not with my credit rating the way it is now.