Even the most clear-eyed dream takes money. And money is typically what keeps us from converting dreams to reality. If you really want to change your housing situation, you need to commit to saving, and that demands patience as well as discipline. Depending on your current financial situation and the scope of what you want, saving enough for a down payment may take a few years.

But remember: Your dream starts coming true the minute you commit to socking away money. Every month you put something aside, spending less in order to save more, puts you a month closer to the dream. One benefit of the recent rise in interest rates is that your savings can earn more. Check out the deals offered by online banks such as EmigrantDirect.com, where you can earn about 4.5 percent these days.

It's a matter of wanting the dream badly enough. Set aside $100 a week, earning 4 percent, and in three years you'll have more than $16,000 toward a down payment.