FirtTimeBuyer, Bob2007, I find it surprising that you’ve read this blog for months yet you went ahead and bought. Each person has different reasons for buying or waiting.
If I were you and had bought, and felt comfortable with my purchase, I’d consider it water-under-the-bridge and stop monitoring the market.
You mentioned a lifestyle decision. Why could you not rent a house for less than the carrying cost of a similar house?
No one knows what the future will bring us. I hope all the posters will check-in once in a while in the next few years to share their experiences.
Personally, I’ve owned my house since 1988. I made a lifestyle decision not to sell. But I’m waiting for the right time to buy another house in a more desirable neighborhood — to me (that would be a less desirable neighborhood in most other peoples’ views).