I bought my second house in 2000 (a modest, 1800 sq ft colonial), with about 10% down and have been paying a little extra on it for 10 years. I’m still easily $50000 underwater. Prices are down up to 70% in our area. Smart or stupid had nothing to do with it.
>>I bought my second house in 2000 (a modest, 1800 sq ft colonial), with about 10% down and have been paying a little extra on it for 10 years. I’m still easily $50000 underwater.<<
But does it matter? Your house provides the shelter you purchased, irrespective of the price of the next door neighbor’s house. The “underwater” is imaginary.