How Much House Can You Actually Afford?

The bank will tell you the biggest loan you qualify for. That is not the same as what you can afford. The gap between those two numbers is where most house-poor stories begin. Here is how to find your real number, with the math.

The 28/36 rule

"Housing cost" is more than the mortgage

Backing into a price

Before you buy

Open PerfinLab — the personal finance app that shows its math.