Who Can Actually Afford a $500K House in 2026 (It’s Worse Than You Think)

Описание: SHOCKING Truth About Affording a $500K House in 2026 EXPOSED

You’re looking at buying a house listed at $500,000. The bank says you qualify. Your realtor says it’s a smart investment. But very few people are doing the real estate math on what that mortgage payment actually does to your financial future once the excitement wears off.

In this video, we break down the brutal reality of home affordability in the 2026 housing market with 7% interest rates. We aren't just looking at debt-to-income ratios; we are looking at your total "burn rate"—the number that decides if you’re building financial freedom or just surviving until retirement.

We analyze the salary needed to buy a house by running the numbers on two specific income scenarios:

$140k Household Income: Why this income level often leads to feeling house poor.

$180k Household Income: The "safe zone" where you can afford the mortgage and still max out your Roth IRA.

What we cover:

Monthly Mortgage Cost: Why a $500k house is actually a $3,600+ monthly commitment once you add property taxes, homeowners insurance, and PMI.

Hidden Costs of Homeownership: The "Big Three" expenses—maintenance, utilities, and opportunity cost—that most first-time home buyers ignore.

The 28% Rule: Why this traditional rule of thumb is a ceiling, not a target.

Investing vs. Real Estate: How buying too much house destroys your compound interest and 401(k) growth.

Stress Testing Your Budget: The "Mint Move" to calculate your actual number before you sign the papers.

Don't trade your liquid cash for equity you can't spend. Watch this before you make the biggest purchase of your life.