With $60,000 down and a 6.5% rate on a 30-year loan, the principal and interest payment on a $240,000 mortgage is approximately $1,517 per month. Including estimated property taxes and insurance, your total monthly payment would be around $1,942. Actual costs vary by location and insurance provider.

On a $75,000 salary, lenders typically approve a mortgage where your total housing payment is 28% or less of your gross income, which comes to about $1,750 per month. A $300K home with 20% down could fit this range depending on your property taxes and insurance. Your other monthly debts also factor into the approval.

It depends on your local market and financial situation. In many suburban and mid-size metro areas, $300K buys a solid starter home. Focus on whether the monthly payment fits comfortably within your budget rather than the sticker price alone, and make sure to account for maintenance costs of roughly 1% of the home value per year.