This home price might be difficult to afford. A DTI ratio above 43% can signal to lenders that you may find it challenging to pay debt., The most important factors that determine how much you can afford: Your monthly payments which included house hold expenses, mortgage payment , home insurance, property taxes, auto loans and any , The Best Way to Afford a House. The best way to buy a house is paying for it in cash.That’s right—a 100% down payment. But if you do get a mortgage, we recommend following the 25% guideline—remember, that means never buying a house with a monthly payment that’s more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay., , , .