Yeah I"m someone that said I think they will be okay, but have a smilar income and don't understand how they are taking home so much (and one of us is a fed too. soo much gets taken out of my fed salary it seems from the pension etc.) |
PP, you are right, and I should have clarified....the $15,500 gross salary is gross after pre-tax deductions of retirement savings and health insurance costs. Once taxes are taken out, net is $11,000. |
You’ll be fine, OP. Just make sure you have a budget and you stick to it. |
Your appreciation rate will not last, nor is it likely to outpace this Midwestern poster in the long run. Also, she arguably IS better with money because they were able to find a life that works better for them. Signed, DC area resident. |
They can tell their children that they will pay for the equivalent of in-state public college. Kids can then make the decision if they would like to pay for / take loans out for any remaining tuition as a result of making a different choice. I have a similar agreement with my children. |
You’re pushing it OP |
Just curious, what exactly makes this a bad idea? I figured OP is more or less the average buyer for an 800k house in this area...but maybe I’m wrong? |
I bet you haven’t had to cross that bridge yet. It’s not that easy. It’s not that simple. |
I don't think you're saving enough for retirement or your kids' college tuition. One or both of you needs a raise. |
We had the same joint HHI, only have 1 kid, and took out a $450K mortgage. We could have gone SLIGHTLY up, but nowhere near $700K and felt like we were able to save. Grandparents are paying for our child's college costs. We each put 15% towards retirement. |
Percentages are irrelevant. What matters is your net non-housing income and non-housing expenses. As others pointed out, your $7,000/mo income (after housing, after taxes, after retirement and health premiums) is significantly more than the gross median national household income. You will be fine.
There is a separate question of how you split your income between housing and everything else. There's no wrong answer. Some people like vacations, or to retire early, etc., and others a nicer (or bigger, or better located) house. You fell in love with the house; you can afford it; enjoy it. Don't worry about comments from people who made different decisions. |
It's a good investment, don't worry. You will be ok. |
So, I am about a year out from having #1 go to college. He has been aware of our position on this since he was a small child. I believe it is my responsibility to ensure he gets an education, but that doesn't mean he gets to go anywhere he desires with me footing the bill. Life is made up of hard choices and this is the first one he'll have to make. Also - having your parents foot the bill for state college is a LUXURY, and one that most kids don't get. |
Yup. Agreed. Not OP but we are already setting the expectation of in state public school. Both DH and I went to state schools and have done great. Private schools are overrated. I’m also not opposed to having my kids borrow a modest sum. Federal student loans are ridiculously generous in terms of repayment and an excellent way to build credit. |
Wow. That was a bad idea. |