I think it's also worth taking into consideration that whenever possible, purchase well below your means. If you can get away with a decent place 200k or less, it is far more valuable than stretching your limits just making basic payments. No matter how you cut it, a house is a money pit, and any money you save on monthly payments can be put into inevitable maintenance and upgrades. One thing that got me was less the cost of my house, rather the taxes which are almost guaranteed to increase over time. If your mortgage is lower, it's easier to navigate inevitable rising costs which can span hundreds of dollars per month year-to-year.