Buy the property if it is so great, both of you will enter "everyday life," think about the entire project next year, and then provide the banker with valid numbers for the financing. With the future numbers as far as they can then be substantiated, it looks feasible, provided that one or the other compromise is not excluded. "With or without" equity, the current interest rates are probably miserable for the entire project, and would, could, should, would doesn't really count in terms of risk assessment. It has the advantage for you that you get the great property, the time pressure is manageable, and in the worst case, if something comes up, the property goes back, which then costs a few thousand. The unlikely case can then be booked as tuition fees, which should not cause you huge problems. If everything goes well, you should be able to put aside around 30-40% of the property costs by next year; that would be the first milestone for me to see if saving works. ;) What you should "price in" in your consideration regarding children would be, 1. they cost more than they "earn," 2. at least one will probably stay at home for some time and not receive full salary ;) Both are doable with the numbers, just keep it in mind.