If you are going to need a loan, you should immediately start the preapproval process through a local lender.

This will give you an understanding of your price range and monthly payment.

If you are a cash buyer, what you can afford depends on many variables, such as, but not limited to: your savings, future expenses, property tax bill, insurance costs, and home repairs/maintenance.

Having financial flexibility, via a large cash position, can be a massive advantage in times of uncertainty.

Consider the scenario in which you have an expensive medical procedure on the horizon; you may prefer to keep your cash position untethered and available for unexpected costs.

However, if you have confidence in not needing a portion of your cash, cash offers are usually more competitive than financed offers.

Typical wants and needs I hear span from gardening space, to good schools, to not-by-freeway, to low crime, etc.

However, some things you may want to consider are; (a) costs & availability of insurance in your target area, (b) the terrain of the property and potential flooding/erosion risks, (c) proposed developments that may later affect your home’s value.

These are only a sampling of things to think about. I’d be happy to talk this over with you, in more detail, if that would be helpful. My number is 831-212-0947