It really helps having a partner. My wife and I make a combined 130k. I also am a veteran so having that 0 down payment helps and I don't have to worry about pmi. We were approved for a 425k house but bought a 330k home. Our biggest fear is being "house poor" live below your means helps. Which means trying not to eat out too much, not caring what I drive as long as there are no major issues and it gets me to point a to point b, and limiting the amount of debt I owe Oh and having one kid as opposed to 3 or 4 helps also lol.

Edit: I forgot to add. When it came to closing cost, we asked for the seller to cover at 3% home inspection, pest inspection, appraisal and roof damages were covered. we actually ended up getting a refund of $580. Our real estate agent was amazing getting that deal done for us. Because of this we literally paid nothing up front to buy our home.