Put in 2 or 3 homes. See the real monthly cost, price per sqft, and which one fits what you care about.
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How many homes
What matters most to you?
0 = don't care, 5 = very important. The score changes as you slide.
Monthly gap, cheapest vs priciest
$0 /mo
Schools and commute only count when you enter them for every home.
Under 20% down, PMI is added. It is an estimate and depends on credit score.
Next steps
Ask the listing agent for the HOA budget, reserve study and any special assessment. A $400 HOA can become $600.
Check the actual school for each address on the California School Dashboard, then confirm boundaries with the district. Listings are often wrong.
Drive the commute at rush hour, not on a Sunday.
Get one home's full breakdown in T01, then get pre-approved (T34) so your offer is ready.
Many people get this wrong: the lowest price is not always the cheapest home. HOA, property tax and insurance come every month. A $50K cheaper condo with a $650 HOA can cost more per month than the house.