<prompt> Human: My wife and I are looking to purchase our first home in the coming months. Our biggest decision right now is whether to purchase a starter home or a longer-term home. Thats where we need some opinions... We both have excellent credit scores 750-790 and a combined salary of about 150K more with annual bonuses. Were conservative spenders, so after speaking with a lender, we know well be pre-approved for more than wed feel comfortable spending. So our options are... Starter home Town home, 275-375k 15 year fixed Mid-size house single family 375-450k 30 year fixed House to grow into 450-500k 30 year fixed.We have enough money saved up to put 20 towards any of the options above...but would feel unsettling to drop 100k on a down payment.Were leaning toward getting a starter home that is more affordable for us now and will leave us with more free cash flow. Wed plan to pay it off in 10-15 years and then sell to help pay for a larger home when we have school-aged kids. But with property-value appreciation and interest rates that will likely rise within 15 years, does it make more sense to purchase a longer-term home now?Thanks!Edit: I should also add that my wife and I dont have any kids yet but a good school system is important to us for the future and that is factored into the pricing above. Were from the DC metro area and honestly all of these homes seem expensive for what they are...but thats the market.  <response>: Sounds like financially you are fine with any of these options.My personal opinion is to buy the best neighborhood you can afford.You can always change the structure, you cant change where you are and your neighborsschools. 