Beyond the purchase price, you must account for "closing costs" (taxes, lender fees, and title insurance), which typically add 2% to 5% to the total price. Additionally, the emotional stress of paperwork, moving, and maintenance can make the transition feel anything but easy. How to Make It Easier

Most lenders look for a score of 620 or higher. A lower score doesn’t make it impossible, but it makes the loan much more expensive.

To buy a house, you generally need "The Big Three":