<prompt> Human: Im thinking about buying a home this year. Quite a few places are saying you should aim for payments that are 36 of your gross monthly income. Thats my entire first paycheckI get paid on the 1st and 15th of each month. I cant seem to figure out how thats affordable to most people. Can anyone explain to me why this is the magic percentage I see on so many sites?Edit:It may be that Im paying so little for rent now? It looks like Im paying about 15 of my gross monthly income on rent. Help me understand, Reddit!Edit 2:Anyone remember Seth Greens Cribs episode? He says 33 gross monthly income. Very strange...Edit 3:Id have to really really love the house and be able to go without internet, cell phones, health insurance to afford that, CNN...Edit 4:Thanks for your responses, everyone. Ive received the information that I was looking for!  <response>: Probably because thats how much they think you can manage to pay and not miss payments. That doesnt mean its a good idea or that you can actually afford it. A better idea is to aim for 30 net at most. 