“It’s one thing to talk about the numbers. It’s another thing to actually look at the homes that you’re purchasing for that price point.”

What happens when financial planners face their own home-buying crossroads?

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, pull back the curtain on their decision to walk away from homeownership despite having the pre-approval, down payment, and professional know-how to make it happen.

Their landlords planned to sell by June 2026, later moved up to March. The Slagles targeted a monthly mortgage of 20% of household income.

But reality hit hard. Nearly million-dollar homes came with unfinished basements, century-old infrastructure, and compromised locations. Dan openly admits his MTV Cribs-era expectations didn't match Portland's housing market. Also, the competition at their price point contradicted everything they'd read about soft housing markets.

The Slagles aren't anti-homeownership. Dan candidly envisioned an 18-year family home followed by downsizing near their daughter's future city. But prioritizing flexibility, financial breathing room, and intentional resource allocation won over societal expectations and professional optics.

Sometimes the wisest financial decision is recognizing when the timing simply isn't right.

Key Topics:

1. Getting Pre-Approved: The Numbers (09:31)
2. What Home Ownership Meant Emotionally (12:27)
3. Dan’s MTV Cribs Disillusionment (19:02)
4. Rent vs. Buy Analysis (23:58)
5. What Renting Freed Up Financially (27:08)
6. Non-Negotiables: Location Over Square Footage (31:46)
7. The Turning Point: Disappointing the Realtors (33:35)
8. Final Decision and Looking Forward (38:38)

Resources:

1. Homeownership vs. Renting: The Good, the Band, and the Budget (episode)

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.