{"id":30428,"date":"2026-03-05T14:49:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/how-much-house-can-i-afford-as-a-first-time-home-buyer\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:38:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:38:41","slug":"how-much-home-can-i-afford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/blog\/how-much-home-can-i-afford\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much House Can I Afford as a First-Time Home Buyer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"30428\" class=\"elementor elementor-30428\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d40f7ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d40f7ae\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4da68b2\" data-id=\"4da68b2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cf31e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0cf31e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much house you can afford depends on factors such as your income, monthly debts, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and current <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can afford a home when their total monthly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stay within about 25% to 30% of their <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gross monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re dreaming about buying your first home, one question is probably front and center, and that\u2019s \u201c<em><strong>How much house can I afford<\/strong><\/em>?\u201d It\u2019s easy to fall in love with listings online, but your real budget depends on more than just the sticker price.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Income, debt, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">property taxes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and even your long-term goals all play a role in determining what\u2019s truly comfortable, not just how much a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might approve you for.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bc7853 elementor-widget elementor-widget-boomdevs-toc-widget\" data-id=\"5bc7853\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"boomdevs-toc-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \n            \n            <div class=\"fit_content\">\n                <div class=\"bd_toc_container\" data-fixedWidth=\"\">\n                    <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper\" data-wrapperPadding=\"90px\">\n                        <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper_item\">\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_header active\" data-headerPadding=\"2px\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_header_title\">\n                                    Table of Contents                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_switcher_hide_show_icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_content list-type-none\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_content_list \">\n                                    <div class='bd_toc_content_list_item'>    <ul>\n      <li class=\"first\">\n        <a href=\"#key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#how-much-house-can-i-afford-based-on-my-income\">How Much House Can I Afford Based on My Income?<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#why-how-much-house-can-i-afford-is-the-wrong-question-at-first\">Why \u201cHow Much House Can I Afford?\u201d Is the Wrong Question (At First)<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#step-one-understand-your-income-and-be-honest-about-it\">Step One: Understand Your Income (And Be Honest About It)\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#what-counts-as-income-for-home-buying\">What Counts as Income for Home Buying?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#why-gross-vs-net-income-matters\">Why Gross vs. Net Income Matters<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#step-two-get-real-about-your-monthly-expenses\">Step Two: Get Real About Your Monthly Expenses<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#expenses-you-should-track\">Expenses You Should Track<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#why-this-matters\">Why This Matters<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#debt-to-income-ratio-dti-the-number-lenders-care-about-most\">Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): The Number Lenders Care About Most\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#two-types-of-dti\">Two Types of DTI<\/a>\n            <ul class=\"menu_level_3\">\n              <li class=\"first\">\n                <a href=\"#front-end-dti-housing-ratio\">Front-End DTI (Housing Ratio)<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n              <li class=\"last\">\n                <a href=\"#back-end-dti-total-debt-ratio\">Back-End DTI (Total Debt Ratio)<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#real-life-example\">Real-Life Example<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#down-payments-what-you-need-vs-what-you-think-you-need\">Down Payments: What You Need vs. What You Think You Need<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#common-down-payment-options\">Common Down Payment Options<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#the-trade-off\">The Trade-Off<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#understanding-your-monthly-mortgage-payment-it-ll-be-higher-than-you-think\">Understanding Your Monthly Mortgage Payment (It\u2019ll Be Higher Than You Think)<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first last\">\n            <a href=\"#piti-explained\">PITI Explained<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#the-hidden-costs-of-homeownership-first-time-buyers-miss\">The Hidden Costs Of Homeownership First-Time Buyers Miss<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#monthly-costs-beyond-the-mortgage\">Monthly Costs Beyond The Mortgage<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#irregular-but-inevitable-costs\">Irregular But Inevitable Costs<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#mortgage-calculators-helpful-but-not-perfect\">Mortgage Calculators: Helpful, But Not Perfect<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#why-pre-approval-changes-everything\">Why Pre-Approval Changes Everything\n<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#your-credit-score-matters-for-affordability\">Your Credit Score Matters For Affordability<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#mistakes-first-time-buyers-regret-later\">Mistakes First-Time Buyers Regret Later<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#how-to-increase-what-you-can-afford-safely\">How To Increase What You Can Afford (Safely)\n<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#a-final-reality-check-before-starting-your-homebuying-journey\">A Final Reality Check Before Starting Your Homebuying Journey<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li class=\"last\">\n        <a href=\"#faq-on-how-much-house-you-can-afford\">FAQ on How Much House You Can Afford\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#how-do-i-calculate-how-much-house-can-i-afford\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do I calculate how much house can I afford?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-percentage-of-my-income-should-go-toward-a-mortgage\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat percentage of my income should go toward a mortgage?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-much-mortgage-can-i-afford-based-on-my-salary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow much mortgage can I afford based on my salary?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#does-getting-pre-approved-for-a-home-mean-i-can-afford-that-amount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes getting pre-approved for a home mean I can afford that amount?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-does-my-credit-score-affect-how-much-house-i-can-afford\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does my credit score affect how much house I can afford?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-much-should-i-put-down-as-a-first-time-home-buyer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow much should I put down as a first-time home buyer?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-home-ownership-costs-should-i-plan-for-beyond-the-mortgage-payment\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat home ownership costs should I plan for beyond the mortgage payment?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#should-i-buy-a-home-at-the-top-of-my-budget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShould I buy a home at the top of my budget?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-can-i-increase-how-much-home-can-i-afford\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow can I increase how much home can I afford?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#what-s-the-biggest-mistake-first-time-buyers-make-when-determining-affordability\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s the biggest mistake first-time buyers make when determining affordability?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n            <ul class=\"menu_level_3\">\n              <li class=\"first\">\n                <a href=\"#for-more-info\">For More Info:<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n              <li class=\"last\">\n                <a href=\"#for-expert-first-time-home-buyer-advice-contact-jake-maines-today\">For Expert First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Contact Jake Maines Today!<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n<\/div>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"layout_toggle_button\">\n                        <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3149dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d3149dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-rdne-8293700-scaled-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-30820\" alt=\"Couple holding house keys while planning how much house they can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-rdne-8293700-scaled-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-rdne-8293700-scaled-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-rdne-8293700-scaled-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-rdne-8293700-scaled-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-rdne-8293700-scaled-1-105x70.webp 105w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c392eeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c392eeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='key-takeaways'  id=\"boomdevs_1\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maximum <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> approves for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">borrower<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn\u2019t necessarily what that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">borrower<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should spend. The right number is one that fits your lifestyle and long-term financial goals.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> calculate affordability based on gross income, but your mortgage is paid with take-home pay, so always evaluate affordability based on what actually hits your bank account.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reviewing three to six months of expenses reveals how much room you truly have for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Remember, small recurring costs add up and matter.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Front-end and back-end <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ratios heavily influence approval, but just because you qualify under <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> limits doesn\u2019t mean the payment will feel comfortable for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">financial situation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While 3% to 5% down is common for first-time buyers, a larger <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can reduce your monthly costs, eliminate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and provide you with more financial flexibility.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOA fees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> significantly affect your true monthly mortgage cost, and must be factored into your budget.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab9c524 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab9c524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='how-much-house-can-i-afford-based-on-my-income'  id=\"boomdevs_2\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Much House Can I Afford Based on My Income?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05ec9a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"05ec9a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/financial-situation.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-30821\" alt=\"Reviewing finances and planning budget as a key tip for first time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/financial-situation.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/financial-situation-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/financial-situation-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6ac45e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6ac45e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying your first home is one of those milestone moments that feels exciting and terrifying at the same time. One minute you\u2019re scrolling listings, imagining paint colors and backyard barbecues. Next, you\u2019re staring at numbers, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage calculators<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, wondering if you\u2019re about to make the biggest financial mistake of your life.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re asking yourself, \u201cHow much house can I actually afford?\u201d you\u2019re asking the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">right<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> question. To answer that question the right way, though, it\u2019s essential to realize the answer isn\u2019t just one number.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, it\u2019s a range and a comfort level. &#8220;The answer to \u201cHow much mortgage can I afford?\u201d is a long-term financial decision that affects your lifestyle, your savings, and your stress levels for years to come.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> need to know about getting a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and affording it safely. If you don\u2019t have generational wealth, endless savings, or a financial advisor on speed dial, you\u2019re definitely not alone.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s essential to break down information about getting a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, using a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home affordability calculator<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and working with a Realtor and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can trust. Then, you can buy with confidence, and you won\u2019t find yourself feeling house-poor, anxious, or stretched too thin.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdfeb0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bdfeb0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='why-how-much-house-can-i-afford-is-the-wrong-question-at-first'  id=\"boomdevs_3\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why \u201cHow Much House Can I Afford?\u201d Is the Wrong Question (At First)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94f9803 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"94f9803\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/credit-score-important-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30822\" alt=\"Credit score report showing importance of credit for first time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/credit-score-important-1.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/credit-score-important-1-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/credit-score-important-1-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1192b75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1192b75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most first-time buyers start by asking, \u201cWhat\u2019s the maximum price I can qualify for?\u201d That makes sense, but it\u2019s also where a lot of people go wrong.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, just because a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> says you qualify for a certain <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t mean that the payment will feel comfortable in your everyday life.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> don\u2019t know:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How often you go out to eat<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you travel regularly<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you plan to have children<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much you value savings or flexibility<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What makes you anxious financially<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why a better question is \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much house can I afford<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while still living the life I want?\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage affordability<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is about sustainability, not <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> approval, and you want a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan term<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">annual percentage rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you feel comfortable with based on your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">household income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6735833 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6735833\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='step-one-understand-your-income-and-be-honest-about-it'  id=\"boomdevs_4\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Step One: Understand Your Income (And Be Honest About It)\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb97497 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eb97497\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/debt-to-income-ratio.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30823\" alt=\"Managing debt-to-income ratio as an important tip for first time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/debt-to-income-ratio.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/debt-to-income-ratio-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/debt-to-income-ratio-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-042b379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"042b379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re thinking about putting a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/how-much-down-payment-on-a-house-do-you-need\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll need to be honest about your income. That\u2019s because the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn\u2019t the only aspect to consider. There\u2019s the total <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and how all of it fits into your budget.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your income is the starting point for everything. But this step isn\u2019t as simple as looking at your salary and moving on. Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new home<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be one you can truly afford for the long term, and that means looking at more than just your income.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='what-counts-as-income-for-home-buying'  id=\"boomdevs_5\"><strong>What Counts as Income for Home Buying?<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> focus on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gross annual income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, meaning your income before taxes and deductions. Common income sources include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salary or hourly wages<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular bonuses or commissions<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-employment income (usually averaged over two years)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Side income (if consistent and documented)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alimony or child support (if court-ordered and ongoing)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your income fluctuates, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> often take an average, and you should, too. Even if you\u2019re making a lot right now, for example, you may not make as much later, especially if you have a seasonal business, or if alimony or other payments are about to stop.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='why-gross-vs-net-income-matters'  id=\"boomdevs_6\"><strong>Why Gross vs. Net Income Matters<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding gross vs. net income is a common source of confusion for first-time buyers. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders<\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">calculate affordability using gross income, but <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> live on net income, which is what actually hits your bank account. So, \u201chow much mortgage can I afford?\u201d should really be based on how much you\u2019re taking home, not on what you make.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gross monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $6,000<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take-home pay after taxes, insurance, retirement, etc.: $4,300<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That difference matters when you\u2019re paying a mortgage every single month. When you\u2019re budgeting to buy <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, always ask yourself: \u201cCan I comfortably afford this payment with the money <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I actually bring home<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad703c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad703c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='step-two-get-real-about-your-monthly-expenses'  id=\"boomdevs_7\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Step Two: Get Real About Your Monthly Expenses<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8e6350 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b8e6350\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30824\" alt=\"Calculating monthly expenses to determine how much house I can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c089b50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c089b50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that there are many<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/first-time-home-buyers-va\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as grants and other assistance, that can help you buy a Virginia home if you meet the eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, they only offer help with getting into the home. When it comes to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly expenses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019re on your own.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When considering how much home you can afford, one of the most important steps is an unglamorous one, and it\u2019s adding up all your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly expenses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Many first-time buyers underestimate how much they already spend each month, especially on \u201csmall\u201d things that add up. Those little costs need to be included when you set your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuying budget<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='expenses-you-should-track'  id=\"boomdevs_8\"><strong>Expenses You Should Track<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to track your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">living expenses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Look at the last three to six months of your bank and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit card<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> statements and write down averages for:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utilities<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Car payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(s)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas and transportation<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student loans<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credit cards<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Groceries<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dining out<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subscriptions (these add up fast)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance premiums<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (auto, health, life)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Savings contributions<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entertainment and hobbies<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Averaging these out over a few months will give you a better idea of how much they <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">actually<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cost you, not just what they cost you last month, which could have been an outlier.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='why-this-matters'  id=\"boomdevs_9\"><strong>Why This Matters<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your future <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t exist in a vacuum. It has to fit into your <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> life, not an idealized version where you suddenly stop spending money on other areas that matter to you or that you need.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your current lifestyle already feels tight, buying at the top of your budget will only amplify that stress, and it\u2019s better to realize that now, so you can work with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a realistic number.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8cba0e2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8cba0e2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c69e311\" data-id=\"c69e311\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c333c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c333c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='debt-to-income-ratio-dti-the-number-lenders-care-about-most'  id=\"boomdevs_10\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): The Number Lenders Care About Most\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-518b502 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"518b502\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7674b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e7674b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Debt-to-Income-Ratio-DTI-The-Number-Lenders-Care-About-Most-scaled-1-1024x601.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30825\" alt=\"Debt-to-income ratio calculation when deciding how much mortgage I can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Debt-to-Income-Ratio-DTI-The-Number-Lenders-Care-About-Most-scaled-1-1024x601.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Debt-to-Income-Ratio-DTI-The-Number-Lenders-Care-About-Most-scaled-1-300x176.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Debt-to-Income-Ratio-DTI-The-Number-Lenders-Care-About-Most-scaled-1-768x451.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Debt-to-Income-Ratio-DTI-The-Number-Lenders-Care-About-Most-scaled-1-143x83.webp 143w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Debt-to-Income-Ratio-DTI-The-Number-Lenders-Care-About-Most-scaled-1.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0c049a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e0c049a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7d316b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7d316b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your income sets the ceiling for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> determines how close you can get to it. That\u2019s because your Debt-to-Income (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) ratio compares your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly debt payments<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gross monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which helps you answer the \u201cHow much mortgage can I afford?\u201d question more easily.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='two-types-of-dti'  id=\"boomdevs_11\"><strong>Two Types of DTI<\/strong><\/h3><h4 id='front-end-dti-housing-ratio'  id=\"boomdevs_12\"><strong>Front-End DTI (Housing Ratio)<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This measures how much of your income goes toward <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> only. The typical guideline is 28% or less of gross income. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that make up this ratio generally include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage principal and interest<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Property taxes<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeowners insurance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage insurance (if applicable)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOA fees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (if applicable)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h4 id='back-end-dti-total-debt-ratio'  id=\"boomdevs_13\"><strong>Back-End DTI (Total Debt Ratio)<\/strong><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your monthly debts, and the typical guideline here is between 36% and 43% of your gross income, depending on your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan type<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some types, such as an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/buying\/loans#:~:text=FHA%20loans%20have%20been%20helping,Need%20help%20with%20your%20downpayment?\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA loan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can go up to 50% <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or higher if you have compensating factors, such as significant savings.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The total debt ratio includes:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housing costs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student loans<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Car loans<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credit cards<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal loans<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3 id='real-life-example'  id=\"boomdevs_14\"><strong>Real-Life Example<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s say your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gross monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is $5,500, and your monthly debts are $700. If you have a proposed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of $1,600, your front-end <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would be $1,600 \u00f7 $5,500 = 29%, and your back-end <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would be ($1,600 + $700) \u00f7 $5,500 = 42%.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This might technically qualify with most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but whether it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feels<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comfortable for you is another question entirely.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8627188 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8627188\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='down-payments-what-you-need-vs-what-you-think-you-need'  id=\"boomdevs_15\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Down Payments: What You Need vs. What You Think You Need<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa0086f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"aa0086f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c710e9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c710e9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Down-Payments-What-You-Need-vs.-What-You-Think-You-Need-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30826\" alt=\"Down payment savings showing how much house a buyer can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Down-Payments-What-You-Need-vs.-What-You-Think-You-Need-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Down-Payments-What-You-Need-vs.-What-You-Think-You-Need-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Down-Payments-What-You-Need-vs.-What-You-Think-You-Need-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Down-Payments-What-You-Need-vs.-What-You-Think-You-Need-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Down-Payments-What-You-Need-vs.-What-You-Think-You-Need-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5a259a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d5a259a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf9dde6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf9dde6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lot of first-time buyers delay buying because they believe they need 20% down. That\u2019s not always true, but the size of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> still matters a lot for the \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much house can I afford<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u201d question.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='common-down-payment-options'  id=\"boomdevs_16\"><strong>Common Down Payment Options<\/strong><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20% Down<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payment<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger offer<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% Down<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> required<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still manageable for many buyers<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3% to 5% Down<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payments<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upfront<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cash<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><h3 id='the-trade-off'  id=\"boomdevs_17\"><strong>The Trade-Off<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lower <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes it easier to buy now, but a higher <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes it easier to afford your home in the long term. There\u2019s no universally \u201cright\u201d choice, though. Just carefully consider what fits your financial reality and go from there.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe74f5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe74f5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='understanding-your-monthly-mortgage-payment-it-ll-be-higher-than-you-think'  id=\"boomdevs_18\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Your Monthly Mortgage Payment (It\u2019ll Be Higher Than You Think)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b92f95d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b92f95d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4fd22c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4fd22c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30827\" alt=\"Calculating monthly expenses to determine how much house I can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Step-Two-Get-Real-About-Your-Monthly-Expenses-scaled-1-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efaf752 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"efaf752\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45e4320 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45e4320\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many first-time buyers focus only on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is what actually affects your life, and it\u2019s generally higher than you expect it to be.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='piti-explained'  id=\"boomdevs_19\"><strong>PITI Explained<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your total monthly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> usually includes:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Principal: Paying down the loan<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interest: Cost of borrowing<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taxes: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Property taxes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (often escrowed)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeowners insurance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage Insurance (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">): If your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is less than 20%<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOA (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeowners Association<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) Fees: If applicable<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That $1,500 payment you calculated online might actually be $1,900 once everything is included, and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">type of mortgage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will both matter for the overall cost.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fc29af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fc29af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='the-hidden-costs-of-homeownership-first-time-buyers-miss'  id=\"boomdevs_20\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Hidden Costs Of Homeownership First-Time Buyers Miss<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62023ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"62023ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2da8fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2da8fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ea9d25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2ea9d25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/researching-neighbourhood.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30828\" alt=\"first-time home buying tips choosing neighborhoods\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/researching-neighbourhood.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/researching-neighbourhood-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/researching-neighbourhood-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a02970 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2a02970\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-920760a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"920760a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where affordability often breaks down. It\u2019s not at the closing table, but months later, because there are always additional costs that can add to your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">total monthly debt<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unexpectedly.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='monthly-costs-beyond-the-mortgage'  id=\"boomdevs_21\"><strong>Monthly Costs Beyond The Mortgage<\/strong><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utilities (often higher than renting)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trash and water<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Internet<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawn care or snow removal<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOA dues<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3 id='irregular-but-inevitable-costs'  id=\"boomdevs_22\"><strong>Irregular But Inevitable Costs<\/strong><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repairs and maintenance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appliance replacement<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HVAC servicing<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plumbing or electrical issues<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Property tax<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increases<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good rule of thumb is to set aside 1% to 3% of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home\u2019s value<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per year for maintenance, so you can handle unexpected items without getting yourself into a financial bind.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b311a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b311a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='mortgage-calculators-helpful-but-not-perfect'  id=\"boomdevs_23\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mortgage Calculators: Helpful, But Not Perfect<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2884f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f2884f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94e9217 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"94e9217\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/home-buying-wish-list.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30829\" alt=\"Creating a home buying wish list as a helpful tip for first time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/home-buying-wish-list.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/home-buying-wish-list-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/home-buying-wish-list-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03c48df elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"03c48df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06c6e59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06c6e59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online calculators are great, but they aren\u2019t going to give you the exact answers you\u2019ll need. They can give you a good estimate, which will help you decide if buying a house looks affordable for you. If it does, then you can talk to a Realtor and a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to move forward.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use calculators to estimate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payments<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, compare <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">price ranges<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and see how <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tax rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> affect affordability. Still, you don\u2019t want to use them to decide your maximum budget without context, ignore taxes, insurance, or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOA fees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or replace a real <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/mortgage-calculator\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">calculators<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting point<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not a final answer to the \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much house can I afford<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u201d question.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cb11f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2cb11f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='why-pre-approval-changes-everything'  id=\"boomdevs_24\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Pre-Approval Changes Everything\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34db460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"34db460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dec4767 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dec4767\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Why-Pre-Approval-Changes-Everything-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30830\" alt=\"Mortgage pre-approval helping buyers understand how much house they can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Why-Pre-Approval-Changes-Everything-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Why-Pre-Approval-Changes-Everything-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Why-Pre-Approval-Changes-Everything-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Why-Pre-Approval-Changes-Everything-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Why-Pre-Approval-Changes-Everything-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ab6d36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4ab6d36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d38c26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d38c26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approved<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the smartest moves a first-time buyer can make, because it:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verifies income, credit, and assets<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gives you a realistic loan range<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Makes you more competitive with sellers<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helps prevent emotional overspending<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most importantly, it replaces guesswork with clarity, so you know your options for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fixed-rate mortgages<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VA loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and more.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4f5f78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b4f5f78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='your-credit-score-matters-for-affordability'  id=\"boomdevs_25\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Your Credit Score Matters For Affordability<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ed1369 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8ed1369\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99b9fb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"99b9fb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/house-hunting-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30831\" alt=\"first-time home buying tips house hunting\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/house-hunting-1.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/house-hunting-1-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/house-hunting-1-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c576b96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c576b96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-381eb5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"381eb5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t just affect your approval. It also affects your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">house payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A small difference in your loan\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can mean hundreds of dollars a month and tens of thousands over the life of the loan. Improving your credit before buying can <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dramatically <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase how much house you can afford comfortably.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fd1ede elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5fd1ede\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='mistakes-first-time-buyers-regret-later'  id=\"boomdevs_26\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mistakes First-Time Buyers Regret Later<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1325524 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1325524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d950e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1d950e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"899\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/offer-and-negotiation-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30832\" alt=\"Making an offer and negotiating price as a tip for first time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/offer-and-negotiation-1.webp 899w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/offer-and-negotiation-1-300x267.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/offer-and-negotiation-1-768x683.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1263536 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1263536\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36d062f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"36d062f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking at<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/buying-a-home-in-virginia-beach\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buying a home in Virginia Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and you\u2019re ready for the next steps, take the time to recognize and avoid these common mistakes:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying at the top of your approval range<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forgetting about maintenance costs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Draining your savings for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ignoring lifestyle changes<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assuming your income will always increase<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, the goal isn\u2019t just to buy a house. It\u2019s also to still enjoy your life <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">after<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you buy it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5561576 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5561576\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='how-to-increase-what-you-can-afford-safely'  id=\"boomdevs_27\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How To Increase What You Can Afford (Safely)\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1fc2f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b1fc2f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3bebef elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a3bebef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"438\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/inspection-1024x438.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30833\" alt=\"Home inspection and appraisal process as an important tip for first time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/inspection-1024x438.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/inspection-300x128.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/inspection-768x329.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/inspection.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-091e6fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"091e6fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79642e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79642e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the numbers feel tight and you\u2019re not sure about affordability, you have some options that can help you be more prepared to buy a home. These include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paying down debt<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving your credit<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saving a larger <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exploring first-time buyer programs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjusting your location or home type<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying less now and upgrading later<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart affordability is strategic, and you may need to look outside of what you originally planned to buy to find a home that fits your needs and budget.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5d03d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b5d03d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='a-final-reality-check-before-starting-your-homebuying-journey'  id=\"boomdevs_28\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Final Reality Check Before Starting Your Homebuying Journey<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc05678 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fc05678\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1893ea9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1893ea9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/A-Final-Reality-Check-Before-Starting-Your-Homebuying-Journey-2048x1536-1-1024x768.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30834\" alt=\"Signing documents after calculating how much house a buyer can afford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/A-Final-Reality-Check-Before-Starting-Your-Homebuying-Journey-2048x1536-1-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/A-Final-Reality-Check-Before-Starting-Your-Homebuying-Journey-2048x1536-1-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/A-Final-Reality-Check-Before-Starting-Your-Homebuying-Journey-2048x1536-1-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/A-Final-Reality-Check-Before-Starting-Your-Homebuying-Journey-2048x1536-1.webp 1067w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-906f198 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"906f198\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f7c415 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f7c415\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The right house price isn\u2019t the highest number a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gives you. It\u2019s the one that lets you sleep at night. As you work through the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/steps-to-buying-a-house\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">steps to buying a house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your opinion of what you need and want can fluctuate.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying your first home should feel exciting, not suffocating, and when you understand your income, expenses, debt, and real-world costs, you can choose a home that supports your life instead of controlling it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d1244b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8d1244b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbe598c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cbe598c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ca1239 elementor-author-box--layout-image-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"9ca1239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/author\/jake\/\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Jake-Maines-Virginia-Beach-Realtor-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of Jake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/author\/jake\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='jake-maines-virginia-beach-realtor'  id=\"boomdevs_29\" class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__bio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Are you ready to embrace these steps to buying a house? Virginia Beach real estate and homes for sale are exciting opportunities, but expertise in the market is essential.<br \/>\nJake Maines is a Virginia Beach Realtor known for his market knowledge and exceptional client service. His real estate journey, beginning in 2020, showcases a successful transition from marketing to realty and investing, marked by a passion for helping clients find their dream homes. Recognized as one of Inside Business 40 Under 40 and ranking in the top 8% of Hampton Roads Realtors in his first year, Jake's accolades affirm his expertise. A member of NAR and HRRA, he upholds the highest ethical standards. Community involvement and continuous professional development make him a trusted, authoritative Virginia Beach real estate expert.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-author-box__button elementor-button elementor-size-xs\" href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/about\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb712c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bb712c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01d1e35 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"01d1e35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:&quot;100&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='faq-on-how-much-house-you-can-afford'  id=\"boomdevs_30\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ on How Much House You Can Afford\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8194d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"e8194d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-do-i-calculate-how-much-house-can-i-afford'  id=\"boomdevs_31\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2431\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2431\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do I calculate how much house can I afford?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2431\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2431\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To determine how much house you can afford, start with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gross monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, then factor in your existing monthly debts to estimate your debt-to-income (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) ratio. From there, calculate a comfortable monthly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOA fees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Most importantly, compare that number to your <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">take-home pay<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and real <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly expenses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure it fits your lifestyle.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-percentage-of-my-income-should-go-toward-a-mortgage'  id=\"boomdevs_32\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2432\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2432\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What percentage of my income should go toward a mortgage?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2432\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2432\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A common guideline is no more than 28% of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gross monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing expenses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and 36% to 43% for total debts. However, these are general benchmarks. What truly matters is whether the payment feels sustainable based on your actual take-home pay and spending habits.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-much-mortgage-can-i-afford-based-on-my-salary'  id=\"boomdevs_33\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2433\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2433\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much mortgage can I afford based on my salary?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2433\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2433\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on your income, debts, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Two people earning the same salary may qualify for very different <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amounts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depending on their debt levels and financial profiles. A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage calculator<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can provide a more personalized estimate.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='does-getting-pre-approved-for-a-home-mean-i-can-afford-that-amount'  id=\"boomdevs_34\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2434\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2434\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Does getting pre-approved for a home mean I can afford that amount?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2434\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2434\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tells you what a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is willing to offer, not what will feel comfortable in your everyday life. Many first-time buyers choose to spend less than their maximum approval amount to avoid becoming house poor.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-does-my-credit-score-affect-how-much-house-i-can-afford'  id=\"boomdevs_35\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2435\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2435\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How does my credit score affect how much house I can afford?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2435\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2435\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> directly impacts your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A higher score can qualify you for lower rates, reducing your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and potentially increasing how much home you can comfortably afford. Even a small rate difference can significantly affect your long-term costs.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-much-should-i-put-down-as-a-first-time-home-buyer'  id=\"boomdevs_36\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2436\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2436\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much should I put down as a first-time home buyer?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2436\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2436\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many first-time buyers put down 3% to 5%, though 10% or 20% can reduce <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly payments<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and eliminate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private mortgage insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The right <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depends on your savings, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan options<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and whether you want to prioritize lower monthly costs or preserve cash.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-home-ownership-costs-should-i-plan-for-beyond-the-mortgage-payment'  id=\"boomdevs_37\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2437\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2437\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What home ownership costs should I plan for beyond the mortgage payment?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2437\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2437\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to principal and interest, factor in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">property taxes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, mortgage insurance (if applicable), HOA dues, utilities, maintenance, and repairs. A good rule of thumb is to budget 1% to 3% of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home\u2019s value<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> annually for maintenance.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='should-i-buy-a-home-at-the-top-of-my-budget'  id=\"boomdevs_38\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2438\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2438\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Should I buy a home at the top of my budget?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2438\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2438\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most first-time buyers, it\u2019s wise to leave breathing room in your budget. Buying at the top of your approval range can increase financial stress and limit flexibility for savings, travel, emergencies, or lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-can-i-increase-how-much-home-can-i-afford'  id=\"boomdevs_39\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2439\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2439\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can I increase how much home can I afford?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2439\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2439\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can improve affordability by paying down debt, increasing your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, saving a larger <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, exploring first-time buyer assistance programs, or choosing a more affordable location or home type.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-s-the-biggest-mistake-first-time-buyers-make-when-determining-affordability'  id=\"boomdevs_40\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-24310\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-24310\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What\u2019s the biggest mistake first-time buyers make when determining affordability?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-24310\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-24310\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common mistake is focusing only on what they qualify for instead of what they can comfortably sustain long-term. True affordability isn\u2019t about maximizing your loan, but about maintaining financial stability and peace of mind after you move in.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-666bef9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"666bef9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1dbf769 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1dbf769\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fd3e57\" data-id=\"6fd3e57\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23fcdea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"23fcdea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='for-more-info'  id=\"boomdevs_41\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xxl\">For More Info:<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d8d18c elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2d8d18c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"tel:(757)%20453-3730\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6a707d elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e6a707d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-08e30dc elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"08e30dc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-be7df82\" data-id=\"be7df82\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc404ad elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form first-cta elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"dc404ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"tel:(757)%20453-3730\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a0b303\" data-id=\"7a0b303\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bf42fd elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4bf42fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ac9d5f9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ac9d5f9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cfe016d\" data-id=\"cfe016d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db176ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db176ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='for-expert-first-time-home-buyer-advice-contact-jake-maines-today'  id=\"boomdevs_42\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For Expert First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Contact Jake Maines Today!<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b654b34 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b654b34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8c45b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"f8c45b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 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#112337;--gf-ctrl-choice-size: var(--gf-ctrl-choice-size-md);--gf-ctrl-checkbox-check-size: var(--gf-ctrl-checkbox-check-size-md);--gf-ctrl-radio-check-size: var(--gf-ctrl-radio-check-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-font-size: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-font-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-padding-x: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-padding-x-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-size: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-border-color-secondary: #686e77;--gf-ctrl-file-btn-bg-color-hover: #EBEBEB;--gf-field-img-choice-size: var(--gf-field-img-choice-size-md);--gf-field-img-choice-card-space: var(--gf-field-img-choice-card-space-md);--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-size: var(--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-size-md);--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-icon-size: var(--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-icon-size-md);--gf-field-pg-steps-number-color: rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.8);}<\/style>\n                        <div class='gform_heading'>\n                            <p class='gform_description'><\/p>\n                        <\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data'  id='gform_1'  action='\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30428' data-formid='1' novalidate>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_1' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_above description_above validation_below'><div id=\"field_1_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-honeypot gform_validation_container field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_17'>Name<\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_1_17'>This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.<\/div><div class='ginput_container'><input name='input_17' id='input_1_17' type='text' value='' autocomplete='new-password'\/><\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_1_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-name gfield--input-type-name gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_hidden_label gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/legend><div class='ginput_complex ginput_container ginput_container--name no_prefix has_first_name no_middle_name no_last_name no_suffix gf_name_has_1 ginput_container_name gform-grid-row' id='input_1_1'>\n                            \n                            <span id='input_1_1_3_container' class='name_first gform-grid-col gform-grid-col--size-auto' >\n                                                    <input type='text' name='input_1.3' id='input_1_1_3' value=''   aria-required='true'   placeholder='Your Name' autocomplete=\"given-name\" \/>\n                                                    <label for='input_1_1_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub hidden_sub_label screen-reader-text'>First<\/label>\n                                                <\/span>\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                        <\/div><\/fieldset><div id=\"field_1_2\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--input-type-email gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_2'>Email<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>\n                            <input name='input_2' id='input_1_2' type='email' value='' class='large'   placeholder='Your Email' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\n                        <\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_4\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-phone gfield--input-type-phone gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_4'>Phone<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_phone'><input name='input_4' id='input_1_4' type='tel' value='' class='large'  placeholder='Your Phone' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_3\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_3'>Message<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_3' id='input_1_3' class='textarea medium'    placeholder='Your Message' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_6\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_6' id='input_1_6' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_8\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_8' id='input_1_8' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_9\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_9' id='input_1_9' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_10\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_10' id='input_1_10' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_11\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_11' id='input_1_11' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_12\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_12' id='input_1_12' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_13\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_13' id='input_1_13' type='hidden' 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Look no further. As a trusted Virginia Beach Realtor, I offer services for experienced investors and those buying their first home. My specialty is supporting the entire process of purchasing and selling <a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/homes-for-sale-virginia-beach\/\">Virginia Beach Homes For Sale<\/a> while providing helpful advice.<\/p><p>I\u2019m here to help first-time home buyers every step of the way through the process. This guide has discussed numerous tips based on my experience and understanding gained from years of training and experience.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to calculate how much home you can afford based on income, debt, credit score, and current mortgage rates before starting your home search.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":30850,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-30428","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-home-buyers"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30428"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32383,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30428\/revisions\/32383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}