I think you guys took this whole post the wrong way. I really don't think she is against buying. You guys are used to the closing process, and are concentrating too much about that. Of course the payment is broken down at closing. She is trying to notify people of the extra 30-40% of cost beyond principal and intrest, before they even start the looking for a home process. I really don't think she is trying to make the mortgage industry look bad, or sneeky.

In other words if your maximum affordable rent is $1100. Then you need to factor in that other percentage, subract it from the $1100 to find out how much house you can really afford.