you guys are over 100k with HER income. you make 35-40.
we rent because we still have to move around a bit for school and post docs and placements, not because we're lacking in funds. we're actually looking a place 1.5 - 2x of your price range since we both have good credit, a massive down payment, and enormous cash reserves.
not to mention that the work my wife will be getting is gonna pay at 4-5x the rate of an $18k stipend.
but congrats on your 400k mortgage, i'm sure you had to sue honest workers pretty hard to make that happen.