Are you House Poor?

This is a photo of my home.  OK, maybe not really, but it certainly could be the mansion of my dreams. We have all looked at celebrity homes and luxurious mansions and wondered what it might be like to live in a mansion, on a beach, with a pool overlooking the crisp blue water.  We long for exotic hardwood floors and closets the size of department stores.  This dreaming is helpful in that it inspires us to work harder, with a goal of living in more comfortable surroundings. However, it can also lead us to overextend ourselves when we purchase a home or sign a lease. 

Most Expensive Homes in Fort Lauderdale

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Are you struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments?  Skimping on dinners out or kids' activities to save money just to pay the bills?  You are not alone.  Our society's obsession with all things bling has resulted in us overpaying for just about anything - and not even realizing it.  Simply qualifying for a mortgage does not mean that you can afford to pay it for 20 or 30 years.  For example, mortgage brokers do not routinely collect information on child care costs.  If you are employed, establishing eligibility is based on your salary and credit history, but does not necessarily take into account the fact that you might be spending $15,000 per year on daycare.  That large expense cuts significantly into your ability to comfortably afford your home and the upkeep that goes with it.  Before making any real estate purchase, I suggest using a calculator to help determine how much home you can afford.  Then use a payment calculator to see what your monthly payments will be.  List all of your monthly household bills on a piece of paper, along with your monthly take-home pay, and see if this fits within your budget.  You may find that the house you could afford is not the house that you should.  Keeping housing costs down to an amount that is reasonable for your situation will help you to be more financially secure in the long run.