It is depressing looking in San Diego isn’t it? I know the weather is nice here, but with the high home prices you rarely will be enjoying it because you will be working your butts off to pay all the expenses. I made the mistake once in San Francisco of being house poor and never again! Please really consider your purchase before you jump off the cliff. Can you really afford that house? We are programed as Americans to spend way more than we can afford, it is an industry that depends on our emotions. But if you sit down and really look at your lifestyle and crunch the numbers you will probably come to the conclusion you can not afford it. Our household income is over 200k a year and we live in a condo that we bought in 2000 for $120k (We paid cash). We also drive a 2001 Toyota and have zero debt. With our income we should be living in a McMansion in Carmel Valley and driving a Lexus, and using my credit cards to make up the difference. I know, I know this is not the American way, we spend our summers in Switzerland and we picked up on their “pay cash for everything and live below your means” way of life.