The last bubble discussion got me thinking – is it really so bad to rent? Well, here is a cold and calculated answer: The Motley Fool has a great calculator to determine whether you are better off renting or owning (financials only, you supply the emotional). Even the bubble hand-wringers amongst us might find some buy-friendly scenarios. Unfortunately, if owning is better for you, the calculator does not help you save up a downpayment.

They also have a how much house you can afford calculator, although it seems to have low-balled my estimate.

-Galen