<prompt> Human: My dad wants me to buy a home worth around 200k-250k. I would prefer to start out with a more affordable home around 150k to pay it off quickly and then begin investing money rental properties before putting a downpayment on a permanent home my wife and I would raise our kids in.My salary before taxes 120k per yr. We have about 3,500mo after all expenses to put towards a mortgage. Wife is still in school but there is the possibility of her being a stay-at-home mom so I choose not to factor in her salary.Currently we live with my parents and can stay as long as I want. My plan was to buy a cheap home that we could live in for about 5-10 years. Then use our first home as a downpayment on a new home that we live in for the rest of our lives. Probably around 400k. So I was thinking it would be nice to have a 200k downpayment on our permanent home.We will be staying in our location for the next 30 yr.What do you guys think? Should I pay off a cheaper house quicker to invest before purchasing a permanent home? What would you do?Thanks in advanceAssistant: Just to be clear, is your dad suggesting a specific 200k house, or is that just a benchmark value that he thinks you can afford?Human: Value he thinks I can afford. There are brand new homes being built in the city I live for 150k. Theyre in a good location. But my dad thinks I should buy a little more expensive and nicer home just because I can afford it.  <response>: Unless your dad is underwriting the house purchase meaning, hell be paying any bills when you cant, dont do it. Just because you can afford a bigger payment do not mean you want to. You are an adult, now. Its your money, not his, and your life. Do not do something you are uncomfortable with just to please his ego. And its all about his ego, wanting to brag about how successful his son is. The cynical side of me is suspecting he wants you to buy a bigger house so he can move in, but I grew up with family that used each other a lot. 