Don't make the mistake of buying a house you cannot afford.
Don't make the mistake of buying a house you cannot afford. A general rule of thumb is to use the 28/36 rule. This rule says your mortgage should not cost you more than 28% of your gross monthly earnings, while your total debt payments should equal no more than 36% of your monthly earnings. This rule isn't set in stone but can give you a good jumping-off place when setting a budget.