Calculate your monthly "PITI" (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) . Factor in upfront costs like a down payment (3%–20%) and closing fees (3%–6% of the purchase price) .
List non-negotiables like location, number of bedrooms, and school districts versus "nice-to-haves" like a renovated kitchen . process of buying a house
Review your credit score and financial documents. Most lenders look for a score of 620 or higher . Calculate your monthly "PITI" (principal
Your lender will order an appraisal to ensure the home's value matches the loan amount . number of bedrooms