Your homebuying budget should start with costs you can comfortably afford, not a townwide price. I'll help you connect that limit to a focused search without treating it as a spending target.
The latest market report covers Brentwood single-family homes, condos, townhouses and apartments. The typical sale price was $625,000, providing a reference for completed purchases rather than a personal budget. The typical asking price among homes listed for sale was $649,000. Homes sold for an average of 102.2% of their asking prices, which does not determine an individual offer.
Asking prices and sale prices describe different groups, so their difference cannot establish a discount you should expect. I would separate what a lender approves from what fits your household spending and savings priorities. A comfortable budget should leave room for ownership expenses rather than rely entirely on the advertised purchase price.
Ask your lender to explain the payment, money needed at closing and assumptions behind the estimate. Write down the maximum price you are comfortable offering, along with a monthly payment limit. Review recent sales of similar homes with me before deciding which listings belong in your search.
