I'm glad you noted that successful people have usually failed before they have succeeded and that success is built on failure. Maybe tomorrows successful FHB's will be built on yesterdays (last years) failed ones. Do you honestly believe TODAY is the best time to buy? Being able to "afford" a property does not mean it's the best time to purchase. Without analyzing the RISKS and basing the decision solely on affordability almost guarantees failure IMHO.
