Category: Real Estate, Real Estate in India, Real Estate in Mumbai

Tags: Real estate, Mortgage, home buyers

Most first-time buyers start with a dream home and work backward. That's the wrong order, and it's why so many end up house-poor. The smarter move? Start with your income and debts, build your budget from the ground up, and then find the home that fits it. Here's what that actually looks like: → The 28/36 rule determines how much mortgage you can carry → Closing costs (3–5% of the purchase price) catch most buyers off guard → Your credit score can cost or save you $30,000+ over the life of a loan → The true monthly cost of homeownership is never just the mortgage payment We broke all of it down in our first-time buyer affordability guide, including a calculator that runs the math for your specific income, debts, and down payment. If you're thinking about buying in the next 6–12 months, this is worth a read before you start scheduling showings.