HOOK
Thinking about buying a house? The biggest mistake isn’t picking the wrong home—it’s shopping before you know your real monthly payment. [split screen: dream home vs. monthly bill]
KEY POINT 1
Lenders don’t just look at the price tag. They look at your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI: your monthly debts compared with your gross monthly income. That helps them judge how much mortgage payment you can handle. [simple on-screen formula: debts ÷ gross income = DTI]
KEY POINT 2
Your mortgage payment is more than principal and interest. Add property taxes, homeowners insurance, and possibly HOA dues. That means a house that looks affordable on paper can feel very different once the full payment is tallied. [home payment checklist appears item by item]
KEY POINT 3
Don’t forget the upfront costs. Down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, and a small emergency cushion can change what you should spend—not just what you can borrow. [stack of labels: down payment, closing costs, moving, reserve fund]
CTA
Before you tour homes, make a rough monthly budget and get pre-approved. If you want, I can help you break down a real mortgage payment step by step. [on-screen: “Budget first. Tour second.”]
