Figuring out how much to spend on a house can be hard when you have a sea of houses to choose from. But no need to fret! As your local mortgage professional, Steadfast Mortgage can guide you through the quest for homeownership.

How to Use DTI to Calculate Home Affordability

First things first, let's talk about Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). DTI helps us mortgage professionals determine how much house you can afford. Think of it as a comparison between the money you earn and the money you spend. We're talking about your recurring expenses like housing costs, car payments, student loans, and credit card debt. After crunching the numbers, we'll get a DTI percentage.

Here's what that might look like. Let's say you earn $2,000 a month, and your

While the housing market remains vibrant for buying and selling, the supply continues to be an issue in these past years.

Low supply happens when there's an abundance of buyers but not enough houses for all of them. Many call it a "seller's market," which often results in a bidding war as multiple buyers compete for the same property. Here is how you can still get your dream home despite high competition. 

The Anatomy of a Bidding War

A bidding war in real estate happens when two or more parties compete for the seller's acceptance of their offer. This stressful situation can be intensified if the owner or listing agent knows there's a lot of interest and propose that everyone submit another higher and better offer.

Thus, you have now

There are many common mistakes first-time homebuyers make. Some are minor, while others can end up being costly. Fortunately, several of these mistakes are avoidable! Please read and share this article with other first-time homebuyers to help them spot these common errors before making them.

Mistake #1: Looking For A Home Before Getting Pre-Approved

When you shop for a home before approval, you run the risk of falling in love with a home that's out of your price range --ruining the whole home buying experience before you start.

Instead, focus on the finances first. Make sure you have enough saved for a down payment and the closing costs and get your pre-approval before you start home shopping.

Mistake #2: Buying More Than You Can