It is the perennial question for every first-time homeowner. How much house can I afford? As with so many life-changing decisions, there is no one right answer to this common query, and the size of the home you buy, and the mortgage you take out, will depend on several critical factors.
If you want to know how much home you can afford, you need to ask yourself the right questions. Even more importantly, you need to provide yourself with honest answers to those queries. Here are some things you should be asking as you get ready for the transition from renter to first-time home buyer.
•What is my current income?
Is that income secure, or is my job in jeopardy? Your ability to pay the mortgage will depend on visibility of income, making the answer to this question extremely critical.
•How much disposable income do I currently have?
How much of that disposable income can I devote to the costs of home ownership? Owning a home is more than paying the mortgage, and you will...