Are you getting ready to buy your first home? It is important to know how much you can afford before you begin looking at properties. Talking with a lender and getting pre-approved for a loan puts you in a stronger negotiating position with sellers.

As a rule, your monthly housing costs should not exceed 28% of your monthly pre-tax income. These costs include the mortgage payment, real estate taxes, and insurance. If you have long-term debts, such as student loans or car payments, your monthly payments, including your housing costs, should be less than 36% of your pre-tax monthly income. Some loans, such as VA and FHA loans, are more flexible with these basic guidelines.

Depending on which type of mortgage you select, you can consider houses in various price ranges. An adjustable-rate mortgage will usually enable you to qualify for a higher loan amount. Your real estate agent can help you make the basic calculations. Remember that buying at the top end of your price range gives you more time to outgrow your home, and can save you money over the long term.

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Brenda Fontaine
Fontaine Family - The Real Estate Leader
336 Center Street
Auburn, ME. 04210
Office: 207-784-3800
Fax: 207-786-2957
Email: WebForm@FontaineTeam.com

Brenda Fontaine became a Real Estate Agent in 1983. Brenda has helped over 5000 families buy and sell their home. Brenda ranked NUMBER 1 for a nationwide franchise for "Top All Around Realtor" for 6 years. Brenda's success is due in part, to her caring attitude, her consistent follow through and also her strong work ethic. Brenda is supported by an experienced and dedicated team of licensed professionals that consist of a client care manager, Melissa Field, marketing manager, Crystal Bergeron, showing/feedback coordinator, Angie Larochelle, field Coordinators, Claude Fontaine & Tammy Soucy, listing manager, Marie Beaulieu, Business Development, Karen Gruver and ten Listing & Buyer agents, Bill Bergeron, Clayton Larochelle, Beth Favreau, Deb Morin, Nick Trider, Harriet Cummings, Pat Long-Cressey, Chad Sylvester, Nate Rudy, Cindy Morin & Jeanne Martin. The Family team of nineteen licensed professionals work together to help families buy and sell their property. They want to be your "Realtors for life" and they will give you superior service to earn that honor. The Wall Street Journal recently posted America's Top Performing Real Estate Professionals on their website. (wsj.com) Amongst the top 1,000 is local real estate team of professionals The Fontaine Family Team who ranked 46th on America's Top Performer list, located at 336 Center St. Auburn, ME 04210

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