Just torn between NICE and FREEDOM

[~bs]

Of course you can make educated guesses, factor in probability, etc etc to reduce uncertainty, and take steps to protect yourself from the uncertainty, which I mentioned.

You said: "If I knew we both could keep the jobs we currently have as well as the energy to pump in all the work we are doing right now to MAINTAIN this income over the long-term, until retirement, then I would have no problem with that"

But fact is, you don't know. SO if you're not comfortable with buying under these circumstances, then don't. I'm curious if you're a first time homebuyer. Because I think it's fairly common for people to experience this type of anxiety, especially on the first time around. I know that I did.

[syracusa]

O

But fact is, you don't know. SO if you're not comfortable with buying under these circumstances, then don't. I'm curious if you're a first time homebuyer. Because I think it's fairly common for people to experience this type of anxiety, especially on the first time around. I know that I did.

Nope. I am a second time "home buyer" and the first time was a horrific experience. Our townhouse went under with the recession, my husband lost his job also due to the recession, we had to move cross country for another job, we tried to do the right thing and rent the townhouse from a distance, we had a hard time finding renters at the time and eventually the rent could no longer cover our mortgage payments anyway...so in the end, we ended up with a short-sale. We should have gone with the short-sale right away, as soon as the hardship hit (husband losing job and cross country relocation) - but we wanted to be "upstanding citizens" and do "the right thing". Stupid of us.

So we have been blocked from buying for almost two years now and managed to miss the time when great bargains could be found in areas like Place A. Not anymore. We will be released from the "ban" in October, our credit score went back up from very bad to pretty much excellent because we have absolutely no debts and pay a credit card balance fully and automatically, each month. But it looks like it's a bit too late for getting a house at a good price in a great area anyway.

It's a seller's market again, definitely in places like area A.

All I learned in life so far is that it is worth achieving "true freedom" in the type of society we live in today (which is extremely oppressive when you think about it rationally).
This means zero debt, modest living, and then investing as much as you're capable of so that you can have as much money work for you instead of you working for money (and a master).

I care way more about my dignity in life than about proving myself "successful" - and I have always loved the idea of having no master other than whoever is "Out There".
Had I not had children, I could have become the Perfect Rebel.
But I had them, so I am a bit more...let's say "tied" than I would prefer to be. Hence, area A.