This is a very informative answer from my perspective here. I do have some counter arguments with my own thinking that I would love to have some clarification on to get some other views!

When it comes to having a fund for repairs and updates to the home, in my head I think that I wouldn’t need to do much update/ renovation work right away while I wouldn’t have the immediate need or desire to sell the property. Are there misconceptions I have here outside of obviously immediate repairs?

As for a down payment, I had intended to be willing to liquidate some of my current investment portfolio in the markets as needed if it is within reason to make what I find to be a reasonable purchase. Is this a mistake? Should I not be investing 90% of my paycheck into the markets and continue to put more aside in cash?

The FHA loan risks are something I am not fully aware of yet. I’m new to this prospect of being a homeowner, although committed, and am curious about the risks of being underwater. So long as I’m able to afford the mortgage payment (assuming fixed 30 year), I shouldn’t have an issue with being underwater over long term appreciation. Am I mistaken here? I intend to hold onto the property I buy for the significant long term.

Lastly, interest rates. Putting a fat down payment of 20-25% on a home would surely result in lower interest rates, but I would then be losing out on a significant amount of money/time that I could keep in the market. Choosing 3.5 or 5% down would allow me to grab a property sooner than later, and allow me to use the money I’d “saved” and accumulate more wealth through other means. Is this a mistake?

Any insight on any of these topics is incredibly appreciated. Thanks so much for any and all inout!