05/05/2026
The number most first-time buyers get wrong
Most first-time buyers ask the wrong question. They ask, "What can I afford to buy?" The better question is, "What can I afford to live with every month?"
There is a difference. The bank will pre-approve you for a number based on your income and debts. That number does not account for your lifestyle, your savings goals, or what you actually want your monthly budget to look like.
A $450K pre-approval does not mean you should spend $450K. It means you can. Those are two very different things.
My advice: figure out what you are comfortable paying every month, work backward from there, and let that drive the price range. Your future self will thank you.
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