@alabamamortgageguy: The amount you’re preapproved for is not the amount you can comfortably afford. They’re two different numbers, and confusing them is why a lot of buyers back out right before closing. Preapproval is based on your maximum debt-to-income ratio. Your comfortable payment is based on the life you actually want to fund. When buyers shop at the top of their preapproval, the real payment, with property taxes and homeowners insurance included, comes in higher than they pictured. On the Gulf Coast and in Baldwin County, coastal insurance widens that gap even more. The smarter sequence: decide the monthly payment you’re comfortable with first, then work backward to a purchase price. That keeps the payment from blindsiding you at the closing table. Aaron Jensen is a mortgage loan officer licensed in 49 states, based on the Alabama Gulf Coast. DM the word PAYMENT for help setting a comfortable payment before you shop.

1147

2026-06-26 14:16:47

2026-06-27 02:54:26

2026-06-25 18:30:51

To see more videos from user @alabamamortgageguy, please go to the Tikwm homepage.