Don't include your retirement savings. Leave it for retirement. Look to put down the smallest amt that leaves you with monthly expenses that you can reasonably pay. Look at FHA loans (regular and 203k), programs to help 1st time buyers, programs that help certain professions if you are in that profession (my area helps teachers for example). There are sometines programs for purchasing in certain locations. The programs are usually state or county based. Look at training programs for 1st time homebuyers.

For a condo, there are condo fees to consider. They never go down and at best, only some of it is deductible on taxes. On the up side, the fees may cover some of those maintenance costs mentioned elsewhere. Speaking of taxes, you will likely be able to itemize and this may reduce the amount you pay in federal and state taxes. So, I would set money aside monthly into a maintenance reserve, but also estimate my taxes and reduce withholding by any reduction in taxes (the target is to have just a little more withheld than you will owe so that you get a small return).

I am not a fan of counter offers. It means they should have been paying you more all along, but didn't.

I prefer being in a junior position that pays the same salary as a senior position. You should have more potential growth with the new employer or if necessary, the next employer that you transition to.

Other posters give even more reasons. Like they won't give you good raises at the current employer to make up for the money they are giving you in the counter offer.

Additional considerations - what made you apply to another job in the first place, relationship with current co-workers, perception of relationship with new co-workers, commute time, interest in work, which job is likely to get you closer to where you want to be in 5 yrs, stability of employers and industries, . . .