crazy high. We ended up taking a $300K loan on a $380K home. It's beautiful and we love it, but it's more than we need for our family of 6.

If I had it to do over again I'd buy an even smaller home, for reduced monthly payments.

I think most of the people who bought in '06-09 and then lost their homes feel the same way.
We got fortunate and I've kept my job.

#1 sure-fire, controllable choice to build wealth is to buy much less home than you "qualify" for. Save and invest the rest.

Few things I enjoy more in the financial world than seeing my retirement investments grow. They'd grow faster if we had a few hundred dollars less in mortgage each month...

Good luck all!