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Affordability · 8 min read
How much house can you comfortably afford?
Use income, recurring debt, savings, ownership costs, and risk—not a simple income multiple—to set a home budget.
Comfortable is personal
A housing payment that works on paper can still feel tight after childcare, commuting, maintenance, retirement savings, and the life you want to keep living.
Model the full ownership cost
Principal and interest are only the start. Property taxes, insurance, PMI, HOA dues, utilities, and maintenance can materially change your actual monthly commitment.
Protect the cash cushion
Avoid directing every available dollar to a down payment. A reserve can make ownership more resilient when the unexpected arrives.