ASPIRING HOME BUYERS 

NEW ANALYSIS FROM BANKRATE SAYS THE OLD RULE OF THUMB FOR HOME BUYERS SPENDING ABOUT 30% OF YOUR INCOME ON HOUSING  IS NO LONGER REALISTIC. 
THE TYPICAL U-S HOUSEHOLD WOULD NOW HAVE TO SPEND NEARLY HALF OF THEIR INCOME TO AFFORD A MEDIAN-PRICED HOME. THAT MEANS MAKING TOUGH CALLS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN TRULY AFFORD...

EXPERTS SAY BEFORE YOU BUY, GO "OLD SCHOOL." WRITE OUT YOUR INCOME AND EXPENSES AND MAKE SURE WHAT'S LEFT STILL LETS YOU SAVE FOR THE BASICS.