Buying your first home is exciting—but let's be honest, it's also a little intimidating. One of the biggest fears for first-time buyers is ending up "house poor": owning a home but feeling like every paycheck disappears into the mortgage, utilities, and unexpected expenses. The good news? It doesn't have to be that way. In this Blog, Rachel Sheller with Octavian Group shares practical, real-world strategies to help you buy your first home without stretching your budget too