06/03/2026
House poor is real.
Your lender may approve you for $600,000, but that does not mean $600,000 should be your budget.
The payment is only the beginning.
You still have to account for:
• property taxes
• homeowners insurance
• PMI
• maintenance
• repairs
• utilities
• furniture
• landscaping
• real life
A home should give you stability, not steal your breathing room.
My advice?
Don’t buy at the top of your approval.
Buy at the top of your comfort.
The best home is not the most expensive one you can qualify for.
It’s the one that still lets you live your life after you own it.
Follow for the real math behind buying a home before you sign anything.
📲 Mike Read, REALTOR® (760) 835-8810 📲 Brittany Read, REALTOR® (760) 835-8805 Brokered by Equity Union 💬 Comment “MORE” or DM for details + private showings! 🔗 (LINK IN BIO on IG ) teamreadre.com/properties/