- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Winter Olympics
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Advice: Can We Afford This House?
Posted on 1/7/26 at 8:16 pm to POCKET
Posted on 1/7/26 at 8:16 pm to POCKET
I was in same situation as you (lived off 18th) and moved to Sugar Land. I work on west side and wife in Med Center area so we thought about Spring Branch but landed on moving out to the suburbs and used our equity for renovating an older but larger home in a nice neighborhood. We had 1 kid at time but writing was on the wall for #2 and we quickly ended up with #3.
Money aside, I don’t regret it but pretty boring and my commute sucks.
Maybe I missed but are you doing 529? We are stuffing a good bit each month there instead of buying more house. I think future me will thank current me when I’m not paying for their colleges out of pocket in 15-18 years.
Money aside, I don’t regret it but pretty boring and my commute sucks.
Maybe I missed but are you doing 529? We are stuffing a good bit each month there instead of buying more house. I think future me will thank current me when I’m not paying for their colleges out of pocket in 15-18 years.
This post was edited on 1/7/26 at 8:22 pm
1
Posted on 1/7/26 at 8:53 pm to CalcuttaTigah
quote:
Money aside, I don’t regret it but pretty boring and my commute sucks.
Where I think / hope we will be. Basically I know it would not be th most financially smart decision that we could make. But there would be nice things about it and it would make the wife happy (which helps keep everybody happy)
quote:
Maybe I missed but are you doing 529? We are stuffing a good bit each month there instead of buying more house. I think future me will thank current me when I’m not paying for their colleges out of pocket in 15-18 years.
We are currently saving for their college and plan to continue to do so. I did not include because I no longer consider that to be our money.
That does remind me that I wanted create a separate fund for weddings or whatever they decide to do with it. Need to do that sooner rather than later.
Posted on 1/7/26 at 10:29 pm to POCKET
We were in a somewhat similar situation to you but we decided to make the move to the suburbs before the kids came. Now we have 2 and we are so happy that we moved out here.
I agree with everyone that said go for the bigger house now. You are in an awesome financial position and need to reward yourself and family by getting out of that town home and into a house with a yard and some space to stretch out. I have a similar commute and it somewhat sucks but I try to get out of the city by 3 every day and it only take me about 35 min to get out to cypress.
I would recommend you look into Town Lake. We love living out in Cypress. We have been out here for almost 10 years now.
I agree with everyone that said go for the bigger house now. You are in an awesome financial position and need to reward yourself and family by getting out of that town home and into a house with a yard and some space to stretch out. I have a similar commute and it somewhat sucks but I try to get out of the city by 3 every day and it only take me about 35 min to get out to cypress.
I would recommend you look into Town Lake. We love living out in Cypress. We have been out here for almost 10 years now.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 9:14 am to POCKET
I thought I read some of Bridgeland is getting a little ghetto? I've never been so take that with a grain of salt. Thought it was nice but there is a ton of new development going up all over that area so things could change long term. Tomball ISD would be a solid choice, likely no MUD taxes, moderately close to family. Getting downtown would be tough.
In a similar situation as you but lower assets/higher comp. Currently rent and finding it difficult to imagine doubling my housing costs and wife staying at home in 2-3 years.
In a similar situation as you but lower assets/higher comp. Currently rent and finding it difficult to imagine doubling my housing costs and wife staying at home in 2-3 years.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:33 am to POCKET
quote:
it would make the wife happy (which helps keep everybody happy)
We moved to kingwood and still live there because my wife is happy
Posted on 1/8/26 at 12:10 pm to POCKET
quote:
cost would be in the $800 - $850K range
quote:
$600K in investments
quote:
Home value is ~$450K of which we still owe $260K
Just buy the new house in cash. Or stay where you are and pay it off. Either way, yes you can easily afford it.
FWIW, the Houston suburbs would be a rough adjustment coming from the Heights. Personally I would look in Memorial area
This post was edited on 1/8/26 at 12:14 pm
Posted on 1/8/26 at 12:22 pm to POCKET
Just an observation, when picking a neighborhood based on having owned 11 houses with my wife.
With young kids, I would pick a new or nearly new house. Generally speaking, when people move into a neighborhood, everyone is looking to meet people, so it is easier to make friends. If you move into an older neighborhood that has seen a generation of two grow up, you may find older people who have established relationships. It may be more difficult to connect with these people.
Newer neighborhoods tend to have younger people in them, unless they are a 55+ neighborhood. Those younger people will be more likely to have kids for your kids to play with.
Raising kids in a house with no backyard is not ideal, even if you have a greenspace in your backyard.
With young kids, I would pick a new or nearly new house. Generally speaking, when people move into a neighborhood, everyone is looking to meet people, so it is easier to make friends. If you move into an older neighborhood that has seen a generation of two grow up, you may find older people who have established relationships. It may be more difficult to connect with these people.
Newer neighborhoods tend to have younger people in them, unless they are a 55+ neighborhood. Those younger people will be more likely to have kids for your kids to play with.
Raising kids in a house with no backyard is not ideal, even if you have a greenspace in your backyard.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 1:10 pm to POCKET
quote:
Basically I know it would not be the most financially smart decision that we could make. But there would be nice things about it and it would make the wife happy (which helps keep everybody happy)
Honestly, you've both been financially "smart" up until this point, and you're in a fantastic position for your age. I'm of the opinion that we should exercise financial self control most of the time, but also, you can't take it with you.
As a mom, the idea of an infant, a toddler, and a 4 year old in a 3-story condo with no yard sounds tough. You and your wife will enjoy having your own backyard for your kids to get outside and run off some steam while y'all relax and grill up some burgers.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 1:59 pm to POCKET
HOW ARE YOU TAKING HOME THAT MUCH MONEY AFTER TAXES AND 401K???
Posted on 1/8/26 at 4:44 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
It doesn’t matter when the baby is actually a baby, but having three mobile kids in a 3 story townhouse that is probably too small would suck.
Baby is probably worse than anything. Having to carry it up and down. Stairs in the middle of the night if they sleep on a different floor.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 4:52 pm to basiletiger
quote:
HOW ARE YOU TAKING HOME THAT MUCH MONEY AFTER TAXES AND 401K???
275k gross income from two full time salaries is nothing crazy.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 7:03 pm to POCKET
quote:
Bridgeland
Start taking cricket lessons before you move in and yall will fit in great!
Posted on 1/8/26 at 7:22 pm to POCKET
Hey bro, just gonna throw this out there:
What else are you saving for if not a bigger house for your large family?
I recognize retirement is that important. It’s also not guaranteed (health risks etc). You have done very well for yourself, you can either watch numbers go on your phone or get a wonderful house for your large family.
I lean with Mingo, chill out for a year and get the house
What else are you saving for if not a bigger house for your large family?
I recognize retirement is that important. It’s also not guaranteed (health risks etc). You have done very well for yourself, you can either watch numbers go on your phone or get a wonderful house for your large family.
I lean with Mingo, chill out for a year and get the house
This post was edited on 1/8/26 at 7:52 pm
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:14 pm to jefforize
excellent point but surely there is a middle ground between a house in the 400s and a house in the 800s. Those can’t be the only palatable options
This post was edited on 1/8/26 at 10:16 pm
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:22 pm to jefforize
I don’t know what waiting two or 3 years before moving would do for you other than add more stress because of a crowded house and deprive the kids of being able to play in the yard.
Your disciplined investment strategy has been great. But part of any great strategy is the ability to adapt and change for game time conditions. Do that here.
If you were moving to the Houston area today, which house would you pick? That’s your answer.
Your disciplined investment strategy has been great. But part of any great strategy is the ability to adapt and change for game time conditions. Do that here.
If you were moving to the Houston area today, which house would you pick? That’s your answer.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:48 pm to POCKET
Don't get locked in on ne home. Find at least 2 others as backups. My son lives in Houston, similar situation as you..needed to move school districts
With 3 houses you have leverage. Make sure two of three are new homes. Homebuilders will drop prices more than sellers. Don't rush . The next 6 months are still buyers markets.
If you don't have an experienced ,tough realtor..get one they will work for you
With 3 houses you have leverage. Make sure two of three are new homes. Homebuilders will drop prices more than sellers. Don't rush . The next 6 months are still buyers markets.
If you don't have an experienced ,tough realtor..get one they will work for you
Posted on 1/9/26 at 1:01 am to POCKET
Wait a few months for rates to come down. You can afford it. But can you afford the long commutes? That’s where you’ll have to make a decision. Is losing 2 hrs a day in a car worth it? Doubtful. Go make the commute from where you want to live a couple times and see if it’s really worth it
I don’t see your age. Assuming you’re 42 or below based on your young kids, with your current assets, assuming a moderately conservative market growth, a retirement age of 60, and $10k/month spending when you retire, you’ve already hit coast fire. Coast fire means you don’t have to contribute to your retirement anymore. Should you stop? No. But you don’t need to stress about putting in as much as you are now. You can afford to reduce your investment deposits, your existing assets will do more of the heavy lifting at this point.
That said, no way in hell I’d sign up for 2+ hrs commuting every day. But lots of people do
Edit: saw OP’s age in a reply - at 36 you can be coast fire even with a retirement age of 55, even if you pull out $100k towards your next down payment. You’re golden. Stop stressing so much about investing, your money is going to start working for you. Your salary will also grow as your kids get older.
Here’s the coast fire calculator I use if you want to try it. It’s simple. Use 8% for growth (market average is 10%), 3% inflation, 4% SWR. I estimate $10k/month spending for you in retirement, and that likely assumes you haven’t paid off your mortgage (very conservative). Anything you invest through your 401k counts towards monthly investments in the calculator, and don’t forget employer matches. I have assumed $0 monthly contribution but you can play with numbers to see what they do for you.
LINK
I don’t see your age. Assuming you’re 42 or below based on your young kids, with your current assets, assuming a moderately conservative market growth, a retirement age of 60, and $10k/month spending when you retire, you’ve already hit coast fire. Coast fire means you don’t have to contribute to your retirement anymore. Should you stop? No. But you don’t need to stress about putting in as much as you are now. You can afford to reduce your investment deposits, your existing assets will do more of the heavy lifting at this point.
That said, no way in hell I’d sign up for 2+ hrs commuting every day. But lots of people do
Edit: saw OP’s age in a reply - at 36 you can be coast fire even with a retirement age of 55, even if you pull out $100k towards your next down payment. You’re golden. Stop stressing so much about investing, your money is going to start working for you. Your salary will also grow as your kids get older.
Here’s the coast fire calculator I use if you want to try it. It’s simple. Use 8% for growth (market average is 10%), 3% inflation, 4% SWR. I estimate $10k/month spending for you in retirement, and that likely assumes you haven’t paid off your mortgage (very conservative). Anything you invest through your 401k counts towards monthly investments in the calculator, and don’t forget employer matches. I have assumed $0 monthly contribution but you can play with numbers to see what they do for you.
LINK
This post was edited on 1/9/26 at 1:23 am
Posted on 1/9/26 at 5:58 am to POCKET
I'm in a similar boat to you, same age, baby 3 coming in a couple of months, but wife stays home with kids, feel like the house is getting small (though it's 4 bed + office, we want 5 + office to host family).
You've got more stashed than I do and I'd still spend the money, enjoy your life. As long as you have a 1-2M life insurance policy to take care of your family in the big house if you get hit by a train, worth it.
You've got more stashed than I do and I'd still spend the money, enjoy your life. As long as you have a 1-2M life insurance policy to take care of your family in the big house if you get hit by a train, worth it.
Posted on 1/9/26 at 6:32 am to thegreatboudini
quote:
long as you have a 1-2M life insurance policy to take care of your family in the big house if you get hit by a train, worth it.
Is 1 or 2 million enough?
I don’t know, just asking.
Page 3 of 6
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News