44. How Much House Can You Really Afford? What the Bank Won't Tell You About Buying A Home

A bigger mortgage can impact your ability to invest, change careers, travel, start a business, survive a layoff, retire early, or create the lifestyle you actually want.

In this episode, I'll walk you through the framework I use to evaluate a home purchase, including the hidden costs most buyers overlook and the tradeoffs that rarely get discussed.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why "Can I afford the payment?" is the wrong question
• The true cost of homeownership beyond the mortgage
• How much of your take-home pay should go toward housing
• The hidden expenses that catch many homeowners off guard
• How a house can impact your flexibility, retirement timeline, and future choices
• Questions to ask before buying a home
• Why the bank's approval amount isn't necessarily your budget
• How to determine whether a house supports the life you want to build

💰 Need help making a major financial decision with confidence?

In a 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session, we'll look at your full financial picture alongside your goals to understand the real tradeoffs of your options and what the numbers actually mean for your life, so you can move forward with total confidence.

Book Your Session here: Build Wealth with Katie