How Much Home Can I Afford? (7 Things They Don’t Tell You)

Sep 11, 2022

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How Much Home Can I Afford?

Deciding how much house you can afford is a huge decision that will affect your future in more ways than one. It’s important to think carefully about this decision before taking the plunge. In this blog post, we’ll break down some of the key factors you should consider when trying to determine how much home you can afford.

Home Buying TipsWhat’s Your Price Range? (7 Things The Don’t Tell You)

The first step in deciding how much house you can afford is to sit down and figure out what your price range is. This will require taking a close look at your income and debts to come up with a realistic number. Once you have your price range, you can start looking at houses that fit within that budget.

1. Your Income

The first thing you need to take into account is your income. This includes not just your salary, but also any other sources of income, such as investments, child support, or alimony. Once you have a good idea of your total income, you can start to get an idea of how much you can realistically afford to spend on a monthly basis. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to factor in things like taxes and insurance when budgeting for your mortgage payments.

2. Your Debts and Expenses

Next, you’ll need to consider your current debts and expenses. This includes not just things like credit card payments and car loans, but also things like student loans and child care costs. The more debt you have, the less money you’ll have available each month for things like your mortgage payment or repairs and maintenance. In general, you should try to keep your monthly debt payments to no more than 36% of your monthly income.

how to calculate debt to income ratio

→ How to calculate debt to income ratio

Debt to income ratio (DTI) is a personal finance measure that compares an individual’s monthly debt payments to their monthly gross income. The DTI ratio provides lenders with a way to assess how well borrowers manage their debts and make timely payments. A high DTI ratio indicates that a borrower may have difficulty making their monthly debt payments and may be a higher risk for defaulting on their loan.

To calculate your DTI ratio, simply divide your total monthly debts by your gross monthly income. For example, if your monthly debts are $1,500 and your gross monthly income is $5,000, then your DTI ratio would be 30%.

While there is no set DTI ratio that all lenders require, most lenders prefer to see a DTI ratio of 36% or less.

3. The 20% Rule

One rule of thumb that many people use when deciding how much house they can afford is the 20% rule. This rule says that you should not spend more than 20% of your income on your mortgage payment each month. While this rule is a good starting point, it’s not always realistic for everyone. You may be able to get away with spending more than 20% of your income on your mortgage if you have other factors working in your favor, such as a low interest rate or a smaller loan amount.

4. Other Expenses To Consider

In addition to your mortgage payment, there are other expenses you need to factor into your budget when you’re buying a home. These expenses can include things like homeowners association fees, property taxes, and repairs and maintenance costs. Make sure you account for all of these potential expenses when deciding how much house you can afford.

5. Your Down Payment

Down payments are another important factor to consider when budgeting for a new home purchase. The larger your down payment is, the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be.



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On the other hand, if you have a smaller down payment, you may end up having to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). This is an extra fee that lenders charge borrowers who don’t have a large enough down payment to cover the full cost of the loan. In general, you should aim for a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price of the home.

6. Current Housing Market Conditions

Another factor that goes into determining how much home you can afford is the current state of the housing market. If prices are rising rapidly, it may be more difficult to find a home within your budget. On the other hand, if prices are stable or declining, you may have more options available to you.

7. Interest Rates

Interest rates also play a role in how much home you can afford. The higher the interest rate, the more expensive your monthly payments will be. However, interest rates are currently at historic lows, making now a great time to buy a home.

 

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Calculating how much home can I afford

Figuring out how much home you can afford doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. By taking into account your income and debt levels, the current state of the housing market, and interest rates, you can get a good idea of what kind of home is within your budget. Once you’ve done your research, all that’s left to do is start shopping for your new home!

 

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