A good starting point is to know how much house you can afford. A monthly mortgage payment weighs heavily on your budget.

Buying your first home is one of life's biggest milestones, and one of its biggest financial commitments. The excitement is real, but so are the responsibilities and hidden costs that come with it.

BOISE, Idaho — Mortgage rates are dipping. But while they're headed in the right direction, that doesn't mean a bunch of people will be able to buy a home now that they couldn't a few weeks ago.