I must be different. Instead of "If you have ever bought or rented a house, the first thing you do is work out your budget, based on what you can afford, then you go and look for what you can get for that amount." I determine what I want/need in a house and then look at houses that meet my needs/wants. Realtors often try to interest me in bigger or more expensive houses. I can afford afford a more expensive property but why?