jIMOh
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Factor in moving costs, closing costs, realtor fees and similar- each purchase will cost you in excess of 20k. Realtor fees for a 300k home could run 18k easy.
So my advice is to find out what you need, and price it.
Then look for what 20k or 40k more gets you. I would buy that much more. In your situation consider that the 20-40k more will save you moving costs, assuming the extra cost got you any/all of the following:
a) better neighborhood for same house- house will hold value better.
b) bigger house in same neighborhood- you won't have to move as much
c) maybe owning larger portion of house because you realize the extra 20-40k does not get you much
We chose to move to largest house possible at a young age. We were DINK when we bought 3400 sq ft house. Wife is now pregnant with twins and we are loving the space we have. Plus jobs changed and when both spouses work from home, we need the space.
So my advice is to find out what you need, and price it.
Then look for what 20k or 40k more gets you. I would buy that much more. In your situation consider that the 20-40k more will save you moving costs, assuming the extra cost got you any/all of the following:
a) better neighborhood for same house- house will hold value better.
b) bigger house in same neighborhood- you won't have to move as much
c) maybe owning larger portion of house because you realize the extra 20-40k does not get you much
We chose to move to largest house possible at a young age. We were DINK when we bought 3400 sq ft house. Wife is now pregnant with twins and we are loving the space we have. Plus jobs changed and when both spouses work from home, we need the space.