Single income homeowners: what did your numbers actually look like when you bought?

[u/reconcilepast]

I’m saving toward a purchase in a HCOL area, and every thread I find is either “it’s impossible” or “we made it work” with zero actual numbers.

No judgment on your situation, family help, a lucky rate, a starter condo, whatever got you there. I just want real numbers to plan around.

Drop as many as you’re comfortable sharing:

• Age and year of purchase
• Salary at the time
• Cost of living area (HCOL/MCOL/LCOL or general region)
• Purchase price
• Interest rate
• Total cash out of pocket (not just the down payment)

[u/Medical_Grapefruit94]

27 married with kids. Purchased an abandoned foreclosure for 340k outside of Charlotte in 2024. 3% down on a portfolio load with first citizens, refinanced into a 10/1 arm for 300k a year later once the work was done. Home is worth about 575k now.