[quote author="Perspective" date=1250295790][quote author="qwerty" date=1250252163][quote author="Perspective" date=1250233131]Qwerty, I think the mental toll a declining value causes, is very similar to the mental toll endured while renting and waiting for housing prices to decline. Also, I'm guessing you have a spouse who really wants to buy in Verandas now, regardless of further price declines. If that's the case, that also takes its toll. It's all very stressful.
Therefore, to be able to withstand and endure the toll future declines will generate, you should buy in Verandas now only if you can really afford it - meaning your total housing costs (mtg, int, taxes, HOAs) will be less than 30% of your gross monthly income and any other debt you have in addition won't exceed 33%. Otherwise, you will stress-out over any price declines and curse your decision.
My wife and I bought in Camden Place in mid-2007 and have endured an approximate 15-20% decline in value. My wife doesn't think too much of it, but it bugs me. However, our total housing cost is less than 25% of our gross monthly income. That provides plenty of cushion to save a good amount of cash so that we have options over the next few years; i.e. it provides comfort to offset the pain of the decline in value.</blockquote>
For me there is no mental toll while renting waiting for prices to come down - i can rent forever, as long as i live in a house i dont care if im paying my landlord or the bank, its the same to me, my wife will occasionally ask out loud why we are still renting, but i always manage to talk sense into her and then she is ok with renting again. For her its more of an emotional thing, she justs wants a house for the sake of being a homeowner. While i would also like to set roots down and buy a house, im not going to overpay for it. Fortunately, affordability for us is not an issue, we can afford much more and in much nicer parts of OC (newport etc), but i dont want to be dependent on two incomes to be able to afford a house. By buying a house on the equivalent of one income, it will give us flexibility should she want to take time off when we have kids and not dip into our savings.</blockquote>
It sounds like you have everything under control, which actually makes the decision more difficult to make. If you were like most other people, you'd just jump on the purchase using emotion as your guide, and if the value declines you'd then find someone else to blame.
However, you're rational and conservative (by today's standards).
If you're searching for reasons not to buy, there are plenty. I'll give you one about Verandas that concerns me - the new block being built right now has the front doors VERY close to the street. It's Irvine, I know, you don't get a front yard; but these look like you literally have just a few feet from the front door to the street. Cars are going down that street at 30 mph+ right now! I think they?ll need to install speed bumps shortly after these homes have people in them.
It?s a tough decision. Personally, when I have to make a tough decision, I try to defer to the side of freedom. Renting provides freedom. Freedom to watch further price declines from the sidelines. Freedom to move where ever nearly when ever. The cost of this freedom is just your rent.</blockquote>
Completely agree. The freedom of renting is so nice - its really hard to beat. Our lease is up in December then we go month-to-month so we will see again where the market is then. My guess is we will end up buying in 2010 (probably the second half).