Your Go-to Guide for Buying a Home

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When you’re determining whether renting or buying makes the most sense for you, keep in mind that a mortgage is a long-term commitment.

Dedicating too much income toward housing can make it hard to meet other financial obligations or save money. When people buy more home than they can comfortably afford, the result can be feeling “house poor” (a term used to describe those who spend an abnormally large proportion of their income on the costs of homeownership), thanks to mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities.

Rules of thumb depend on who you ask, but you should generally aim to keep your housing-related costs below the Federal Housing Administration’s required minimum of 31% of your gross income.

Test your budget with different scenarios:

What happens if you lose your job?
If you add to your family in five years?
Become disabled?

Solid upfront planning can help set you up for long-term financial success. 

JUST LISTED Properties

821 Dublin Dr Unit 249, Richardson image
821 Dublin Dr Unit 249, Richardson — Lifescape Villas Ondublin $200,000

Move-in ready! Bright and beautifully refreshed 3-bed, 2-bath condo located in a prime location in Richardson! Step into the dramatic, sun-drenched main living area showc...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21353264 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
7140 County Rd 146, Kaufman image
7140 County Rd 146, Kaufman $520,000

Welcome to your own piece of Texas countryside! This beautiful 17-acre property offers peaceful rural living with plenty of space and endless possibilities. The 3-bedroom...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21371712 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
4600 Wheatland Dr, Fort Worth image
4600 Wheatland Dr, Fort Worth $299,900

Discover this former model home with an upscale brick-and-stone exterior on a desirable corner lot. Inside, luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout with no carpet. Th...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21366247 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
3312 Knoll Trl, Balch Springs image
3312 Knoll Trl, Balch Springs $279,900

Move-in ready and completely refreshed! This beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home plus a dedicated study room offers the perfect blend of modern style and functional livi...

  • 4 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21371708 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
11121 E Hwy 84, Gatesville image
11121 E Hwy 84, Gatesville $349,000

Welcome to the cozy country cottage! This darling home has been well maintained and totally updated. Beautiful hardwood floors, new windows, a new roof and new gutters. ...

  • 2 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21364563 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
1658 Coldstone Dr, Frisco image
1658 Coldstone Dr, Frisco $825,000

Open House Saturday 2-4pm. Discover an exceptional home in highly sought-after Frisco, offering an impressive combination of space, comfort, and amenities designed for bo...

  • 6 Beds
  • 4 Baths
  • 21369567 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
property image
83 Rock Hill Cir, Broken Bow $449,000

Escape to the heart of Broken Bow with this charming log cabin tucked away on approximately 1.26 wooded acres near Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake! Whether yo...

  • 2 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21371707 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
1193 Marchant Pl, Lewisville image
1193 Marchant Pl, Lewisville $384,900

This beautifully maintained 1,671-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers a bright, open layout with architectural character and thoughtful updates throughout. The i...

  • 3 Beds
  • 3 Baths
  • 21371706 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
2009 Whitefish Ct, Denton image
2009 Whitefish Ct, Denton $469,900

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  • 4 Beds
  • 3 Baths
  • 21343038 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
3303 S Park Ave, Denison image
3303 S Park Ave, Denison $550,000

Nestled on a spacious 1-acre lot in a desirable south Denison location, this impressive custom home offers approximately 3,244 square feet of living space with room to sp...

  • 5 Beds
  • 4 Baths
  • 21342887 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
1409 Colony Dr, Irving image
1409 Colony Dr, Irving $665,000

Welcome to this gorgeous, fully updated home in the highly sought-after Historic Hospital District, a charming neighborhood renowned for its beautiful mature trees, pictu...

  • 4 Beds
  • 3 Baths
  • 21343753 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
17728 Coralberry Dr, Dallas image
17728 Coralberry Dr, Dallas $490,000

This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome sits in one of North Dallas's most convenient locations, minutes from UTD, I-635, and the Dallas North Tollway, and zoned to Plano ISD. ...

  • 3 Beds
  • 3 Baths
  • 21371690 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
101 Easy St, Valley Mills image
101 Easy St, Valley Mills $210,000

Large Corner lot. Resently renovated. Enjoy the square footage of 1793. Updated with modern theme with Viynl Stripwood flooring. Home offers lots of natural light. Open-c...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21367515 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
4224 Arbor Creek Dr, Carrollton image
4224 Arbor Creek Dr, Carrollton $500,000

Welcome home to this cute, updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with a flexible office, playroom, or potential 4th bedroom. The inviting floor plan offers plenty of storage and...

  • 3 Beds
  • 2 Baths
  • 21371676 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status
1281 Fm 151, Trenton image
1281 Fm 151, Trenton $479,000

Set on approximately 3.31 acres in Trenton, this single-story brick home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1,833 square feet, and a side-entry 2-car garage. The spacious k...

  • 3 Beds
  • 3 Baths
  • 21371696 MLS
  • ACTIVE Status

Listings provided by North Texas Real Estate Information Systems (NTREIS). Listing data has been deemed reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the MLS.

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