How Much Home Can I Really Afford?

When buyers ask, “How much home can I afford?” they’re often really asking two different questions: How much will a lender approve, and how much should I actually spend?

Those answers aren’t always the same.

In this workshop, we’ll start with the monthly payment rather than the purchase price. We’ll look at everything that can make up a housing payment, including the mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, and HOA dues.

We’ll also talk about expenses that may not appear in a lender’s qualifying calculation but still matter to your budget — things like childcare, travel, savings goals, maintenance, and the unexpected costs that come with owning a home.

You’ll learn why two homes with the same price can have very different monthly payments, how your existing debts affect your buying power, and how to turn a comfortable payment into a realistic home-price range.

The goal is to help you shop with a budget that works on paper and still feels comfortable after you move in.