True monthly cost = mortgage + taxes + insurance + flood + HOA + assessments + utilities. HOA dues, flood zones, and pending special assessments are where buyers get blindsided.
HOA tolerance
No HOA, please
Skip dues and special-assessment risk entirely
Light HOA OK
Up to about $400/mo if amenities make sense
HOA is fine
Condo, gated, or amenity community welcome
Flood & assessment risk
Avoid risk
Outside flood zone, no pending assessments
Balanced
Some risk OK if priced right and disclosed
Open
Will weigh risk against opportunity