I would only consider 30yr fix for more than 400k, otherwise, you are pushing yourself too much. 

You should also have some furnitures when you are renting, right?  Why don't you use those furnitures?  At least I bought decent furnitures even when I rent...

Tools, Furnitures and blinds are all one time cost.  I don't think there is any trouble at all. 

Anyway, there is always risk for housing ourchase.  It all depends on how much risk you can try.

我穷啊，rent的时候穷学生，3年恨不得搬过5，6个地方，没买什么好家具，只有主卧的床(mattress + box only)和客厅一沙发，俩recliner，一个cocktail table，其他都是junk，搬进新家要不得的。。。。就算东西再多，买了房子，面积增加3倍，空着的地方还是过多啊，不过是提醒新owner别忽略这些cost，我曾经也以为没什么大不了的，家居版曾经办过计算cost的活动，想买房子的不妨看看

我家倒没有lz那么多的贷款，农村小地方啊，不然肯定不会买了

仅仅列一下我家的cost而已，不同的人当然有不同的 style, never hurts to know么

反正我觉得每月手头仅有2500闲钱是很难合理生活的，assume不想买房前后生活方式有太大改变，该下馆子下馆子，该买 pp衣服就买pp衣服，该旅游就旅游。另外老大的房子买了四面白墙到处空着没家具也是挺不爽的。

现在也不是价格大涨的时期，死撑已经没什么意义了。为了房子影响生活质量就不值得了。

专家说供房比例最好不要超过家庭总收入30％，否则会感到有压力哦

I agree new owners should be careful about the extra cost.  However, they should also know what can be done or not.  Checking your monthly expense, I saw at least the utility, auto cost depend on the locations.  At least I don't have that much utility and auto cost.  With $2500, they should be able to dine out, shopping as usual.  The furniture cost you spent is also a one time cost too.  With over 20k interest, you can get the tax refund for vacation, which is the way we do now.

Like I siad, it will be tough for the first 2 years, but LZ can adjust the 401k deduction.  I only make sure to match the company's contribution.  If we need more money, we'll just change the contribution.  The house is just another retirement fund.  Shorterm it may be flat or down, but long term would be OK. I hate renting. So for self-living not investment on house, my opinion is always to buy it regardless market, and enjoy life as early as possible. 

We also need to buy several rooms' furnitures.  But furnitures are not that expensive as long as you don't buy famous brand ones.  I don't think they put all the money into the house.  No one would do things like that. Dining room set in costco is only around 1k.  living room set is about 1.5k and above.  Bedroom set may vary, but also not that expensive.  These furnitures are all mid-class people buying, should be fine, right?  Then the total cost is also limited.

BTW, you are too modest.    I saw your posts, your house is nice.

......

I feel i am too TANG these days.  It is all due to the damn "vacation" I am having now. 

就这个情况讲，3000太多了，三分之一比较合适

[此贴子已经被作者于2007-6-8 14:39:09编辑过]

我就是想不通识８个月还是１个月啊

８个月太少，一个月太多

惭愧惭愧

这8个月里面还有6个月是我减肥的时候，如果是以前，还出去吃的。。。。都是1000多的，最狠的是1500一个月

btw we almost never eat out now since we live in a small village (not even a town), all 800 out of 850 come from grocery bill

no , we dont eat organic stuff, we just eat too much

小声说，你这800差不多，我们家两个人每个月也是800-1000，就在吃上。我们中午出去吃，两个人差不多是300多，每个礼拜出去吃两顿（比以前少多了，也是为了控制budget和健康)，也是300多。剩下的就是grocery。每个礼拜grocery一般也要80-100，depends。trader joes一个礼拜花30-50，costco平均50，每两到三个礼拜去中国或韩国超市，40-50一次。

[此贴子已经被作者于2007-6-9 13:28:30编辑过]