Originally Posted by Point85ToTheFix

73 hours at 3rd year pay is 17,155 which assumes no extra soft money. After taxes and contributing enough to max out your 401k leaves 10,662 dollars per month take home.

A 550k dollar home with 15% down with current interest rates gives an average payment just below 3K.

I understand you like to plan conservatively and I commend you for that but don't be here claiming "you can't afford it" you're just not comfortable with that amount and that's a personal decision not the math just not working out.