You really should take advantage of any first time homebuyers programs you have in your state, and talk to a real estate agent to keep a look out for you. Deals pop up all the time, and the reason you’re not seeing them is you don’t have access to the multiple listing network (MLS), while a real estate agent does. All you see on the market is “what’s left”, after shit gets snagged up. You have no idea what’s available out there.
My point is that you can’t just buy a house without credit these days. There are no homes at cash prices, at least not the kind of cash most of us have or could get in any reasonable amount of time. JuSt BuY a UsEd PhOnE (and also wait for a massive recession)! So easy!