This post was originally published on mortgages.com. Buying a home is a big life event. For many people, a mortgage payment is their biggest monthly expense. It is also important to keep in mind the other costs of a home. Use these four tips to ensure that your payments are made in accordance with the fine print. Find Out How Much You Can Afford There are many online calculators to help you find out how much home you can afford. These calculators are based on your income. They also factor your interest rate and the amount of your down payment. Some calculators also add your estimated property tax, homeowner's insurance, and private mortgage insurance. Even if an online calculator or a loan agent at the bank claims that you can afford a certain dollar amount on a mortgage payment each month, you might not feel comfortable with that amount. Create a Budget for Your Home [...]