At current interest rates you can borrow up to $417,000 and your monthly payment will be under $2000. You arent planning on going anywhere for 10 and probably closer to 20 years. You cant lose your down payment if you dont sell. You are an attorney and your wife is a physician. One of you will make somthing. If you can only make $75K between the 2, you will be able to pay the mortgage. What are you afraid of other than not being able to whine on this blog about having to buy a home anymore? Its getting old.