Right now my priorities are finding a house in a nice neighborhood where the values will appreciate well over the years.
I imagine I'll move in a few years, but am looking for a house that I can raise a family in for the long-term, should that turn out to be the case.
Here in the DC area, congestion has gotten so bad over the years that I'll have to spend about $330,000 or so instead of around $250,000. I can do it: it means I'll have to put 20 % down instead of a much smaller amount. So I'll live without a little furniture for a while!
What makes me sick is seeing how much MORE house can be bought for $100,000 less in other areas of the country!! Friends of mine live in a huge stone house in Philadelphia for what a one-bedroom condo in the nice section of the VA suburbs costs!!
But it's largely money on paper. I'd be 68 before my house actually belonged to me on a 30 year fixed at this point! Just a better way of renting.
