Is he secure in his job or worried that he might lose it? With unemployment so high he might be worried about that.
It also might worry him that if you do eventually have children you might want to stay home and leave your job leaving the whole financial responsibility on him.
Owning a home is a lot of work but well worth it. Show him the brochure. That might kick start him. Do you have friends that own a home? With home ownership comes a lot of responsibility but you do know that. Maybe if you went out to dinner less, like he suggested, he might see that you're more willing to give up something to get a home.
Don't give up.