The following blog is by Brittney Castro originally published in Brittney Castro’s Blog – Financially Wise Women.

When it comes to buying a home, it’s easy to get caught up in the process and go after homes that may be too much for you.

I’ve known hundreds of people who have gotten lost in the realtor/viewing process and let the real estate professional convince them that they could afford a home—when realistically they could not, given their financial situation. You have to be smart and make sure you are calculating your own numbers so you have clarity about what you’re buying and how it will affect your monthly budget and long-term financial plan.

In this week’s Financially Wise Living episode, I share an example to help you understand exactly how much home you can afford.

WATCH this week’s video now.

About the author: Brittney Castro, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ is the Founder and CEO of Financially Wise Women, a Los Angeles based financial planning firm for women. She specializes in working with busy professional and entrepreneurial women who are passionate about life and want to gain clarity around their money. Brittney’s mission is to help women plan and create the life of their dreams, free from anxiety about money. She is known for her non-judgmental, compassionate approach to financial planning. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Planning Magazine, Investment News, and Registered Rep Magazine. Away from the office, you can find Brittney working out, drinking green juice, reading, playing at the park with her dog Arya and of course dancing. Visit her at http://www.financiallywisewomen.com and request a FREE 30-minute Discovery Session to discuss how financial planning can help you use your money to live a life you love. Financially Wise Women is a registered investment adviser offering advisory services in the State of California and in other jurisdictions where exempted.