Upfront costs include down payment, inspections, appraisals, earnest money, closing costs, taxes, rate buy-down, prepaid insurance, and HOA fees.
Ongoing costs consist of mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA fees, maintenance, improvements, and utilities.
To mitigate home-buying costs, improve credit score, work with a real estate agent, and make a larger down payment.
Experts anticipate a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September, which may impact home affordability.
While high interest rates have eased skyrocketing home prices, they've made monthly payments less affordable.