On the fha and pmi talk, i dont know the future but i had a really good experience personally. I bought my house feb 2012, put down 5% for my fha 30 year. House was 225k. Around feb 2015 i refinanced to a conventional 15 year, cut out the pmi. House appraised for 285k.
I actually pulled out 20k (cash out refi) with the intent to purchase a 2nd home but ended up deciding not to do it after a long, frustrating search and i changed employers which affected what loan if qualify for. Its cool how much my house has appreciated, and Im glad to cut out pmi, and will have my house paid off in maybe 12 years with extra payments. My monthly payment on my 15 year conventional is barely more than my 30 year fha was due to the pmi.
This is the stage im at right now.