<prompt> Human: Hi, I am a new grad out of college since last summer, and I am interested in purchasing a house in a few months. While starting my process, I have a few questions to ask. Would you help me out? : FACTS: I managed to pay off my loans and my car via juggling between 2 jobs and internships. my credit score is between 750 - 770 my monthly income, after all 401k, tax stuff, equates to roughly 4000, annual income is 80,000 my expenses at this point are barely anything besides food, phone plan, car insurance and maintenance since I still live at home. say 500mo I have saved up about 10k that I plan to toss it as down payment. This would not create a hole in my emergency fund. I have a long term girlfriend who earns about half as me, but as this thread recommends that since we are not married lets pretend she doesnt exist. Might move in with me though. I live in the washington DC area, southern Maryland, and thats where Id look to have the house in. WANTS:Rather than getting myself a shiny new WRX, Ive decided to better invest it in a house. Here are the things Im looking for. school districts, not so much. By the time I have kids Id probably have already moved. But thinking about this house as a potential rental property, school zone might be important as it impacts value. house size, doesnt have to be too big. But id really prefer it being a single family house with a basement and a 2nd floor. garagedriveway, this one is huge to me. Over the years Ive pretty much taught myself to be a mechanic and Ive done oil changes to rotor changes at walmart parking lots and gym garages. As my car knowledge ambition grows Id definitely want my own space where I can work on stuff peacefully. Financially this would save bunch of money since Im doing my own labor, too. year, anything past 1990 is fine for me. Anything older I would have to pass.QUESTIONS I tried researching as much as possible, but still have many questions. 0. with my income, is 300k too much of a house? How much should I be aiming at? 1. with what I have described above, a house that fits the criteria would be around 300k here. I am definitely not hitting a 20 downpayment, and for that I know id need to pay an equity insurance that will roughly add 200 until I build a 20 equity. If I were to buy a house with the insurance instead of waiting and saving for 20, is that a bad move? 2. If I am looking at a 300k house, with 10k downpayment, how much should I prepare for closing costs, assuming my agent returns 1? 3. With my wants mentioned above, anything that you think I am missing? Anything I shouldnt worry too much? 4. Using some mortgage calculators online, I see that monthly I am looking at 1700 payments. Beyond that, to pay all the insurance, house upkeep, etc, would budgeting 2500 per month be reasonable assume nothing big breaks? 5. If I were to buy the house before any marriage happens and someday I get married, would this need to be prenuped ? Thank you so much for reading!UPDATESI will constantly put updates here, if you are interested in joining me on the house hunting process1418 - thread started.if i change all 300k to 200k, would that still be a bad choice?  <response>: Dont buy a house unless youve got the full 20 down and an emergency fund. With less than 20, youll be forced to pay PMI, and mathematically it turns your apparent 4 APY mortgage into a 12 APY. No good. 