[quote=CA renter]Personally, I don’t want to lose a single cent on a purchase, but if an “acceptable loss” had to be quantified, the total losses would have to be no more than equivalent rent for the same type of house and duration of occupancy.[/quote]

CA renter – you are absolutely correct and this is what the correct understanding our fellow purchasers need to have at the time of house purchasing these days. Honestly this time home buying is more careful than the last time peak price home buyers. Most of them those bought past years (2004- 2006) may not be losing a dime at all due to various attractive baliout vs NODs. But now one has to be prepared to lose minimum 20% loss from their pocket for sure and the future of entire US economy is kid of foggy – it never ever get back to the stream line – though it gets back, not housing surge at all. Keep in mind first the forthcoming era is to increase taxes and interest rates – how long the housing will surge when high interest rates exist? I do agree rent vs home mortgage should be somewhat equivalent level instead losing saved money 20% and further downthe road live life with stress.