When I was appraising RE, I saw huge houses that were empty. The owners could NOT afford to pay the payments and furnish them. I saw other large homes where the owner only lived in the master bedroom suite and the kitchen with the attached family room. Only their housekeeper ever saw the other parts of the house. I vowed to buy and live in homes where I use the whole thing and the price doesn't put me in the poor house.Never ever take the maximum loan amount, and be polite but firm with realtors pushing you toward properties at the top of your lending limit!
I swear, people just do not care, man. They’ll watch a family go BK for $1000 more in commission.