I will buy sooner than 2010 but not because I am an idiot or because anyone is pushing me. I will do it because markets are different, the Temecula market will fall before the San Diego market and because I will have already filed two tax returns without itemizing and my rent will equal my potential mortgage at some point. If I pay 2k for rent and can buy the same place for 250k to 300k, then I have arrived at the balance I had hoped for. I’ll be paying the same after taxes to rent as to buy, anything after that is moot. I’m not in the business and for my primary residence affordability is more important than profitablity. If it tanks after that, I’ll cost average down and buy a second one. Speculation is fun but it is just that, if I can buy a house and afford it on one week’s gross pay, it’s silly to not just pull the trigger, at some point even bears have to come out of the cave.
