The 3-3-3 Rule for Buying a House in Maryland: Does It Still Work in 2026?
The "3-3-3 rule" is one of the most-shared home affordability heuristics on the internet — but in Maryland in 2026, following it literally might mean you never buy. Here's the rule, the math, and whether it actually applies.
What Salary Do I Need to Buy a House in Maryland? Income Requirements by Home Price for 2026
How much do you actually need to earn to buy a $500K, $700K, or $1M home in Maryland? Here's the salary-by-price-point breakdown for 2026, with the math Maryland lenders actually use and how to game it in your favor.
How Much Home Can You Afford in Montgomery County? (2026 Guide)
What salary do you need to buy a home in Montgomery County in 2026? A complete affordability breakdown at $100K, $150K, $200K, and $250K+ income with real MoCo costs — taxes, HOA, insurance included.
Your Mortgage Payment Is $300 Cheaper Than It Was Last Spring
Median monthly mortgage payments dropped from $2,882 to $2,599 — a $283 difference — since May 2025. That's not a rounding error. That's real money that changes what you can afford.
How Much House Can You Afford in Montgomery County on $100K, $150K, or $200K?
Online mortgage calculators give you a number. This post gives you the real picture — what different income levels actually buy in Montgomery County, MD in 2026, including taxes, insurance, and what's left over.
Mortgage Rates Hit a 3.5-Year Low: What DC Metro Buyers Need to Know Right Now
Mortgage rates just reached their lowest point in 3.5 years. Monthly payments on a median-priced home are down nearly $300 since last spring. Here's what that actually means for buyers in Montgomery County and the DC metro — and why waiting may cost you.
Rent or Buy in Montgomery County 2026? The Honest Break-Even Math
Below ~$2,800/mo rent, renting wins. Above ~$3,200, buying usually wins — if you stay 5+ years. Here's the real Montgomery County rent-vs-buy math worked through with $600K home and $2,800 rent examples.