When I was looking to buy my first home, the bank approved me for $150k. Of course my real estate agent was more than willing to show me houses in that range.
She was a might disappointed when I opted for those in the $100k range, and bought one for $98k. With insurance, escrow, it was only slightly higher than what I was paying in rent.
NPR just ran a preview article for a story that will air tomorrow morning about Fed workers who are looking at second jobs.