How much house can I afford?
A common rule of thumb is to keep your total housing payment (mortgage, property tax, insurance and any HOA fee) near 28% of your gross monthly income, and all debts near 36%. Your lender's preapproval sets the ceiling. ListingCraft for Buyers shows the estimated monthly payment for every home, so you can compare real homes against your budget.
Lenders look at your income, debts, credit score and down payment. The amount you are approved for is a maximum, not a target, so choose a payment that still leaves room for repairs, utilities and savings.
Every home report in ListingCraft for Buyers includes property tax and an estimated monthly payment, and the offer screen shows your cash to close as you change the price and down payment.