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How Much House Can I Afford?

  • Homeowners Insurance
  • Xavier Sabastian
  • 14 minutes

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Finding out how much house you can afford is an important stage in home-buying because buying a house is one of the biggest expenditures you will ever make. You should start by comparing the amount of money coming in from your employment, investments, and other sources of income to the amount going out to pay for expenses like school loans, credit card bills, and auto payments. 

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What you'll read about

How much mortgage payment can I afford?

Consider key factors, like your household income, monthly debt obligations (such as auto and student loan payments), and the amount of money you have set aside for a down payment, to determine how much house you can buy. You should feel comfortable comprehending your monthly mortgage payments as a prospective homeowner. 

Unanticipated costs and impulsive spending can harm your savings even if your household’s monthly income and debt payments are predictable. 

Save up to around three months’ worth of money, including your monthly housing payment and other obligations. This will enable you to pay your mortgage in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. 

How does your debt-to-income ratio impact affordability?

The DTI ratio, which compares your total monthly indebtedness (such as your mortgage payments, including property tax payments and insurance) to your monthly pre-tax income, is a crucial factor that your mortgage lender considers when determining the amount of money you can borrow. 

You can be eligible for a greater ratio depending on your credit score, but generally, housing costs shouldn’t exceed 28% of your monthly income. 

For instance, if your (mortgage) monthly payment, with insurance and taxes, is $1,395 a month, and you have a monthly income of at least $4,500 before taxes, your DTI is 31%. (1395 / 4500 = 0.31).  

You can also use the other method, multiply your income by 0.31, to determine your housing budget. That would enable the $1,395 mortgage payment in the case above to reach a 31% DTI. (4500 X 0.31 = 1,395) 

How does the type of home loan impact affordability?

How many houses can I afford with an FHA loan?

Homebuyers with credit scores of 500 or higher are eligible for Federal Housing Agency mortgages, which might help them buy a home with less money down. You must make a 10% down payment if your credit score is under 580. You might deposit as little as 3.5 percent if your score is 580 or better. But, there are restrictions on FHA loans. An FHA loan for a single-family house cannot be for more than $472,030 in most locations in 2023. The figure can reach $1,089,300 in more expensive regions. Mortgage insurance costs, which are required for all FHA loans, must also be considered when calculating your payments. 

How many houses can I afford with a VA loan?

You might be eligible for a VA loan if you have a military connection. This is significant because down payments are frequently waived for Department of Veterans Affairs-backed mortgages.  

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs offers mortgages with no down payment to qualified current duty or retired service members and their spouses. Even if you put less than 20% down, these loans have low mortgage rates and don’t require PMI. Additionally, if you are a first-time home buyer with full entitlement, there is no cap on the amount you can borrow. You should also consider how the VA funding charge will affect the price of your loan. 

How much house can I afford with a USDA loan?

No down payment is necessary for USDA loans, and there is no cap on the purchase price. But, because these loans are intended for purchasers with low or moderate incomes, you must strongly emphasize comprehending how mortgage payments will affect your whole monthly budget. 

The 28/36 rule – how it works and what it is

The 28/36 rule states that you should try not to spend more than 28% of your gross or monthly income (pre-tax) on home-related expenses and no more than 36% on total debts, including your credit cards, mortgage, and other loans, like auto and student loans, is a good general guideline for determining “how much house can I afford.” 

Although the 28/36 guideline is a widely recognized starting point for calculating home affordability, you should also evaluate your overall financial status when determining how much house you can buy.  

What factors help determine ‘how much house can I afford?’

Income

Money that you consistently receive, such as your paycheck or interest from investments. Your monthly budget can be established using your income as a starting point. 

Cash reserves 

The funds available for a down payment and closing expenses equal this sum. You may use your assets, savings, or other funds. 

Debt and expenses.  

Your potential monthly responsibilities include those for credit cards, auto loans, student loans, groceries, utilities, insurance, and so forth. 

Credit profile. 

Lenders’ perceptions of you as a borrower are influenced by your credit score and the total amount of debt you owe. These elements will influence your ability to borrow money and the interest rate you will pay on your mortgage. 

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How much can I afford to spend on a house?

Based on your input, the house affordability calculator gives you a suitable price range. Most significantly, it considers all of your monthly bills to decide whether buying a property would be comfortably within your means. 

Lenders only consider your current outstanding debts when determining your ability to finance a home. They don’t account for factors like whether you want to save an extra $250 per month for retirement or whether you want to save more money because you’re having a baby. 

So you can change the data you submit to match your current financial condition as well as carry out various scenarios. 

How much house can I afford on my salary?

The conditions of the mortgage will affect your housing budget in part, so in addition to accurately calculating your current costs, you need also have a clear understanding of your loan terms and search around for the best deal. Borrowers with the best credit ratings, the least amount of debt, and significant down payments typically receive the best interest rates from lenders.  

How do current mortgage rates impact affordability?

The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates several times during the past year in an effort to lower inflation. Mortgage rates subsequently increased as a result of that. Rising rates frequently stifle homebuyers’ enthusiasm or perhaps force them out of the market altogether, which eventually lowers property prices. But increased interest rates mean your monthly mortgage payments will be greater if you’re still looking to purchase a property. 

How does credit score impact affordability?

Your credit score is the cornerstone of your finances and significantly impacts the interest rate on your mortgage. For instance, if your credit score is 740, you may be eligible for a loan with a 4.375 percent interest rate for a $400,000 property with a 20% down payment. Your rate could be greater than 6% if your credit score is lower—640, for instance. In such a case, the higher credit score could result in a $300 savings on the monthly payment to cover the interest and principal.

How much can I afford on my salary?

Suppose you make $70,000 a year. The 28 percent guideline states that your annual mortgage payments should not total more than $19,600, or $1,633 a month. You can buy a $305,000 house for a 5.35 percent interest rate for 30 years if you keep that magic figure in mind. Nonetheless, a 20% down payment would be required.

How does the amount of my down payment impact how much house I can afford?

When buying a house, the deposit is a crucial aspect of affordability. For instance, if we add a down payment to that $70,000 annual earnings, your housing budget drops to $275,000 with a 10% down payment (assuming you want to maintain the 28 percent rule). You may lower your loan-to-value ratio by putting down more money, which would change how risky you appear to your lender. Find out how your monthly payments will change as a result of changing purchase prices, interest rates, and minimum down payments. Don’t forget to consider the influence mortgage insurance costs could have on your spending. Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is required if you take out a traditional loan with a down payment of less than 20%.

Does where I live to impact how much house I can afford?

Yes, it does impact how much house you can afford. What you can spend on a house mostly depends on where you live. At the same money, you could purchase a far larger piece of real estate in St. Louis than you could in San Francisco. The general cost of living in the area is something else to consider. You might be able to make a place in your budget for housing prices if, for instance, you live in a town with affordable utility and transportation rates.

I’m a first-time homebuyer. How much can I afford?

Buying a property for the first time might be particularly intimidating: How are you going to manage saving money for a down payment while also paying rent? According to data from the National Association of Realtors, first-time buyers are finding it particularly difficult to abide by the 28 percent rule: The average first-time buyer actually spent more than 39 percent of their salary on mortgage payments in the fourth quarter of 2022. Thankfully, there are initiatives created especially for first-time house purchasers. You might be eligible for help with your down payment or closing fees depending on where you live and how much money you make.

How to improve your home affordability

Work to improve your credit score 

The greatest method to position yourself for the lowest mortgage rate is to raise your credit score. As you get ready to submit a mortgage application, pay down your credit cards and refrain from opening any new ones. 

Improve your debt-to-income ratio:  

Strive to pay off your obligations, for instance, by refinancing student loans at a reduced interest rate. You may also concentrate on increasing your income by asking for a wage increase at your current job or taking on a second job to make more money. In any case, you will show a lender that you have more money, lowering your risk. 

Come up with a bigger down payment: 

You will need to borrow less money the more you can contribute upfront. You don’t have to use all of your savings to cover the down payment. If a member of your family or a close friend has the financial means, they might give you a gift to go toward your down payment. They must certify in writing that the funds are a genuine gift rather than a loan that must be repaid. 

Consider other locations:  

Although you might be set on a specific area or location, adaptability is essential. You will be able to find areas with reduced housing costs if you can cast a wider net. 

Figure out how much space you really need 

A starter home can be a better financial choice for your bank account if this is your first time purchasing real estate. You can always start small, accumulate equity, then sell to locate a bigger home when you’re ready if you’re years away from starting a family. In addition, keep in mind that condos have a lower median price than single-family homes. 

What other factors impact How much house you can afford?

Be prepared for property taxes: 

You take on the associated tax obligations when you purchase a home. The property taxes that pay for your contribution to governmental services like a police department, firefighting services, and public schools must therefore be taken into account in addition to your mortgage payment. Depending on the value and location of your property, that bill can be very different. 

Set aside an emergency fund: 

Bad things can occasionally result from the fact that life happens. You’ll need to save money in addition to paying your regular mortgage payments in case something unexpected happens, like losing your job. In the worst-case situation, you have a layer of security thanks to your emergency money.  

Budget for ongoing repair-and-maintenance costs: 

The amount you’ll need to spend will depend on how old the house is, but even a new building will need ongoing maintenance funding. 

Shop around for homeowners insurance 

Prices can vary greatly depending on what you need from your coverage and where you live. To acquire quality coverage at a fair price, make sure to compare different estimates.

Save up to $900 a year on your home insurance policy 

Should I buy a home now or wait?

Due to the drastic increase in rising mortgage rates and waning buyer desire, home prices have been on an up-and-down roller coaster in recent years and have now started to decline slightly. It’s enough to make you question whether to purchase a home right now. It’s crucial to keep you is a good idea attention on your own circumstances rather than the state of the real estate industry as a whole or forecasts for the future. Is your entire debt burden sustainable, and is your credit score in terrific shape? Do you have enough savings so that a down payment won’t completely deplete your account? A lender will probably be able to provide you with the best interest rate available if your personal finances are in excellent shape. But it’s not just about the cash. Consider what is more suitable for you. Are you at ease establishing roots for the near future? The more time you can spend in a home, the simpler it is to justify the expenditures of closing on the loan and relocating all of your stuff. Moreover, the more equity you can accumulate. 

Bottom line

Without a doubt, it is feasible and, in certain cases, even better to buy a house without a buyer’s agent. But these are uncommon occurrences that won’t affect the majority of prospective homebuyers. It’s generally preferable to rely on a professional for most people considering making what may be the most expensive buy of their lives. 

How much house can I affordFAQs

How much house can I afford if I make $100000? 

With a $100,000 salary, you have a good chance of having a budget for a home that is at least in the upper $400,000 area. To buy a property, you’ll need more than a high income. Also, you will require a high credit score, less debt, and a sizable down payment. 

What are the most important factors in determining how much house I can afford? 

The amount you make, the amount you can put toward a down payment, and the amount you pay each month toward other loans all determine how much you are able to spend on a home. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will carefully examine every aspect of your financial situation to determine the risk that you won’t be able to repay the loan. The less debt you have relative to your salary and the larger your down payment, the better. 

How much house can I afford on a 75K salary? 

Due in major part to inflation, a $75,000 annual salary won’t buy you as much house as it once did. The average monthly income for someone making $75,000 a year is $6,250. Also, as a general rule, your housing costs shouldn’t consume more than 28% of your income. Following the right advice, your mortgage payment should not exceed $1,750 monthly.  

What are the upfront costs of buying a home? 

When you purchase a property, you will also have to pay a number of closing charges, such as an appraisal, title insurance, a mortgage origination fee, legal fees, and more, in addition to your down payment. Your lender’s costs, whether you’ll pay real estate transfer taxes, and whether the seller agrees to pay some of the expenses will all affect the final amount. Plan for around 2 – 5 percent of the home’s buying price when creating your budget for a home purchase. So, your closing expenses for a $400,000 home may be between $8,000 and $20,000. If you want to avoid paying for those expenses out of pocket, some lenders might provide you the choice to roll them into the loan. But, keep in mind that if you go with that choice, you’ll have to pay interest to them. 

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