How much house can you afford? It's an important question to answer before you hire a real estate agent and start house hunting. With so many factors to consider — the down payment, interest rates, property taxes, and your monthly expenses, to name just a few — answering the seemingly simple question “How much home can I afford?” is trickier than you might think.

Apply for your mortgage with Pilgrims Mortgage. Know your buying power, and monthly payment options, and show sellers that you’re serious with a pre-approval letter.

Start house hunting! An agent knows your market and works with you to find your dream home on your budget. When you find your perfect home, present the seller with a purchase contract with all the details.

Once an offer’s accepted, the home needs to be appraised. Next, underwriters check over the financials before clearing you to close. Then it’s time to sign and move in.