If you buy, buy the best property under or as near to your 300k cap as you can go. Given your financial picture, there is no way in hell that is going to hurt you much. If the big old hunking luxury house on the golf course drops to a point where you feel like you will be laughing all the way to the bank if you take it, buy it too, if you still want it at that time. DCA for Temecula homes.