Figuring out how much home you can afford is one of the most important questions you’ll need to answer before you begin house hunting. But as home prices and interest rates have increased in the past few years, you may be wondering how your buying power has changed.

To get a rough estimate of what you can afford, most lenders suggest you spend no more than 28% of your monthly income — before taxes are taken out — on your mortgage payment, which includes principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. In addition to having a firm grip on your income and expenses, it’s important to understand the role the following factors play in how much home you can afford:

Your Credit

Lenders look closely at your credit score when determining whether you qualify for a loan. Generally, the higher your credit score the more options will be available to you, including better loan terms and a lower interest rate. Because of the large role credit plays in the home-buying process, make sure you understand how your credit score is compiled, how to get a copy of your credit report, and how to build strong credit.

Current Mortgage Rates

It’s important to watch mortgage rates carefully, because when rates are lower you may be able to afford a larger mortgage. Although 26 million mortgage-ready potential homebuyers had the capacity to afford a $400,000 mortgage at a 3% interest rate, the total falls by 3 to 4 million with each percentage point gain, according to Freddie Mac research. In short, a small increase in rates can make a home that was once affordable, unaffordable.

Bear in mind that similar borrowers may receive notably different rates based on the lender, so you may want to shop around to increase your buying power. In fact, you can potentially save $600-$1,200 annually by applying for mortgages from multiple lenders, according to Freddie Mac.

Your Down Payment

Typically, homebuyers need to make a down payment of at least 3%, and generally between 5% and 20%, of their home’s purchase price to qualify for a mortgage. That means as home prices go up, so do down payment requirements. Talk to your lender about all the down payment options available and explore assistance programs.

Each year, many state, county, and city governments provide financial assistance for people in their communities who are well-qualified and ready for homeownership. Requirements vary, but if you are eligible you could receive down payment assistance ranging from a few thousand dollars to larger amounts, depending on your needs, your qualifications, and where the home is located. Additionally, many programs specifically benefit veterans, Native communities, and workers employed in education, health care, law enforcement, and firefighting. Your lender or housing counselor should be able to point you in the right direction for these programs.

Fees and Other Closing Costs

Don’t forget that when you get a mortgage, you’ll need to pay closing costs, which likely include an appraisal fee, credit report fee, tax services fee, and more. These costs will generally run between 2% and 5% of your purchase price.

To crunch the numbers, start by using Freddie Mac’s Homebuying Budget Calculator, then learn more about the home buying process with Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart. Visit creditsmart.freddiemac.com to get started.

If you think you’re ready for homeownership, you’ll want to work closely with your lender to determine what you can comfortably afford. It’s their job to cover all bases so that your final number is within your means and aligns with your financial goals.

Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends and more time for personal pursuits.

Whether you’re throwing together weekday lunches for the kids or hosting an elegant dinner party, here are some tips to keep your kitchen — and meal prep — organized.

Declutter

Do you feel like you’re constantly battling clutter? Not only can clutter make you feel less comfortable, but it can also impact your efficiency. Take some time to sort through those areas of your kitchen that tend to collect unused food products, such as the pantry, the refrigerator door, and the back of the fridge. You’ll be surprised how long certain items have been sitting there. Toss anything that has expired, and donate anything unopened and in good condition that you can’t or won’t use to a food pantry. Transferring items such as grains, sugar, and flour to labeled containers of the same size makes for more uniform storage that can help you maximize shelving. You might also consider alphabetizing spices so they are easier to find and grab when you need them.

Upgrade Your Fridge

Trading in your refrigerator for a newer model can be a game changer, and not just because modern appliances tend to be more energy efficient. Today’s refrigerators can also be a world apart in functionality and organization, offering you more storage space, greater control, and even the ability to multitask.

For example, a sleek French door refrigerator from Midea, the MRQ22D7AST, boasts a drawer with its own temperature control that can be adjusted via a smartphone app, so you can stay on top of meal planning while on the go, and ensure foods are stored at their ideal temperatures. For example, if you know you’re coming home from the supermarket with meat or seafood, you can turn the temperature down to 30 degrees. Or, if you want to uncork a perfectly chilled bottle of wine that evening, you can turn the temperature up to 41 degrees. This particular fridge also features three cooling zones with multiple evaporators that manage humidity and air transition between the fridge and freezer, keeping food fresher longer and ice odor-free. Plus, a unique glide-out tray, provides easy storage and access to party platters, cakes, and other large items, making hosting a breeze. Additional features like a deli net, retractable shelf, and dual icemaker represent some of the best of what you can expect from today’s refrigerators.

Improve Go-To Tools

Coordinated, efficient meal prep relies on your go-to tools being in good working order. To that end, a knife sharpener can make a useful addition to your kitchen, whether you opt for a simple sharpening stone or an electric model with different settings. If you’re low on counter space or would prefer to have this task handled professionally, check your local hardware store. Many provide this service at an affordable cost. Other small items, such as can openers, zesters, and peelers, are all prone to rust, which can make them difficult to wield over time. Likewise, plastic spatulas can become cracked and damaged with use, and wooden spoons can become splintered. Assess these items and replace them as needed with new tools that offer a better grip and smoother operation.

With a few small tweaks and updates, your kitchen and all the items within it big and small, can make your life easier, more organized, and more convenient.