Lenders qualify you at 43% DTI. Financial planners recommend under 28%. There is a $200k gap between those two numbers on a typical income.

PITI (principal, interest, tax, insurance) is only the fixed part. Add 1–2% of home value per year for maintenance and repairs — most first-time buyers miss this.

Stress-test at a rate 1.5% higher than today's. Rates rise, salaries don't always. If the higher rate breaks you, buy less house.