[quote=sdrealtor]Correct on price but part of the cost of buying a house is interest charges and including that its half.[/quote]

Interest charges play no part in the cost of buying a house – unless you happen to be unable or unwilling to pay the purchase price with your own money.

Americans have become so used to stratospheric prices for homes, way beyond what they can afford, that they assume financing is an automatic part of the purchase process.