08/26/2026
A lender can tell you what you qualify for. That doesn’t mean you should spend it.
I see buyers get excited about that maximum pre-approval number, and I completely understand why.
But buying a home is about more than getting approved.
Taxes matter. Insurance matters. Repairs matter. Your savings matter. And the life you want to live after you get the keys matters too.
I wrote my newest blog about why the most expensive house you can afford is not always the right house.
My goal is never to push someone to the top of their budget. It is to help them find a home they can actually feel good about owning.
Read it here:
The most expensive home you qualify for is not always the smartest home to buy. Ashley Taylor of Patriot Real Properties explains why buyers should consider monthly payments, property taxes, insurance, repairs, savings, future goals and lifestyle before stretching to the top of their budget. A pract...