What is actually "conservative" for financing a home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think being actually conservative would be if you could afford your mortgage on only the lower of your 2 salaries. But that is often not realistic in this area. It's not what I plan to do (not in the real estate market yet).

I agree, this is actually "conservative". That said, 20-25% of total take home is also very conservative. Your DH is definitely being conservative (or, I agree, just doesn't actually want to be "tied down", as a PP observed).