Here for the ride it sounds like you have it pretty well thought out. I am not a fan of raiding pretty much the last bastion of tax deferred investment vehicles that the government lets us have (IRA and 401K). So my opinion is that I wouldn’t raid those funds but you have some valid points about not having a mortgage. Just consider that the first time buyer usually does not stay in the same home for more then 6-7 years. So your decision to tie all that money up in your home is something that personally I would not do but that is only me. I guess I am puzzled at why you couldn’t rent (using you non IRA savings) and try the other profession or field that you could make more money in to see how things work out? I know the renting lifestyle blows (being a fellow renter) and my wife is very much fed up with it. The quality of life with homeownership I think is a factor that is overlooked on this board.
You are young and you have alot of things ahead of you so do what suits you best.
