home, at least not as a first home. Why not look at something in the 2000 sq ft range, which is more affordable? My first home was 1560 sq. ft., with a 7.75% mortgage interest rate (a 5-year ARM), and my second home was 2300 sq. ft. And why is a 3-car garage necessary?

I agree that people are going to struggle to afford homes that are too big and out of their price range.