A lender's pre-approval tells you the maximum you can borrow. It doesn't tell you what you should actually spend, and those two numbers are often different in Orange County's market.
Start with your full financial picture: down payment, other debts, and how much of your monthly income you're genuinely comfortable dedicating to housing, including property tax, HOA dues (common in Orange County's many planned communities), and insurance, not just principal and interest.
If you're relocating and have equity from a home sale elsewhere, that number needs to be realistic and current, not a guess from memory. An outdated equity estimate is one of the most common ways buyers misjudge their actual OC budget.
It's also worth separating your maximum approved amount from your target comfortable amount. Many buyers qualify for more than they want to actually spend once they factor in lifestyle costs, savings goals, and general financial breathing room. There's no rule that says you have to spend your full pre-approval.
Once you have a real number, the more useful question becomes which Orange County areas and home types that number actually reaches, which varies enormously by city, as covered in the "What $1M Buys" and "What $1.5M Buys" guides. A conversation with Andrew about your specific numbers is often faster than guessing from general market data.