My answer is always this: if you live in it, it isn't an investment. Stop worrying about price appreciation, and focus on cost/benefit. It doesn't matter how u

My answer is always this: if you live in it, it isn't an investment. Stop worrying about price appreciation, and focus on cost/benefit. It doesn't matter how underwater your mortgage is unless you need to sell out of it. If you don't think you're going to live somewhere for 10+ years, or if it's more expensive to buy then rent on your preferred timescale, then don't get a mortgage.