Mortgage Self-Inspection 

Before you apply for a mortgage, you need an inspection. Not on the home, on yourself! Get out your check book, credit card statements and so on. Figure out exactly what you are spending each month and on what. Now figure out how that compares to what you make. You should now be able to objectively determine how much you can really afford to make in mortgage payments. Stick to this number even if a lender offers you more money that will result in a bigger monthly payment. The issues is what you can afford, not what you qualify for on a mortgage.