Scarlett –
What type of utilities do you have for $500/month? I thought that was primarily for east coast or northern US homes. and quite expensive life insurance.
Either way (whether I feel you are rounding up-up on some numbers or not), I agree that all expenses do seem to add up.
The other poster suggested paying off the car loans. Excellent suggestion!
Most people buying 600k+ house/townhouse are buying it as a move up house and have at least 20% down from the sale of their previous home. And they are not living for free currently, so the extra costs for the newer, more expensive home aren’t as pricy as initially thought.
Many people have second incomes from something passive – rental unit, stock dividends, etc.. Those are the folks moving into many of these places.