bigger than mine but I still choked on the fact that it cost 8 times what my home cost when we built it and his mortgage is 10 times higher. It will be even higher at the end of 2 years (he has a 2-1 buydown for first 2 years) if interest rates don't drop in that time.

He could afford it (barely) but it is pure craziness. He chose to hold on to previous home and rent it as he can get more in rent than his mortgage payment on the home. If necessary, he can sell the home (has about $200K equity in it) and apply the proceeds to current mortgage.