Mortgage Payment Calculator
Estimated Monthly Payment:
Loan Principal:
Total Interest Paid over Life of Loan:
Total Amount Paid (Principal + Interest):
*Note: This estimate includes Principal and Interest only. It does not include property taxes, homeowners insurance, or PMI, which will increase your actual monthly payment.
Understanding Your Mortgage Mortgage Calculation
Buying a home is likely the biggest financial decision you will make. Understanding how your mortgage is calculated is crucial for budgeting and long-term financial planning. This tool helps you estimate your monthly Principal and Interest (P&I) payments based on standard loan parameters.
How Mortgage Payments Are Calculated
A standard fixed-rate mortgage calculation uses four main variables to determine your monthly obligation:
- Home Price: The total purchase price of the property.
- Down Payment: The upfront amount you pay toward the home. The home price minus your down payment equals the loan principal (the amount you borrow).
- Loan Term: How long you have to repay the loan. The most common terms are 15 or 30 years. A longer term means lower monthly payments but more interest paid over time.
- Interest Rate: The annual cost of borrowing the money, expressed as a percentage. Even a small fraction of a percentage point can significantly impact your monthly payment and total interest costs.
The Missing Pieces: Taxes and Insurance
It is vital to remember that the calculator above determines your Principal and Interest only. Your actual monthly check to the lender will likely be higher because it usually includes:
- Property Taxes: Local taxes assessed on the value of your home.
- Homeowners Insurance: Insurance to protect your property against hazards.
- Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Usually required if your down payment is less than 20% of the home's value.
Example Scenario
Let's look at a realistic example. Suppose you want to buy a home listed for $350,000. You have saved a 20% down payment, which is $70,000. This means you need to borrow a principal amount of $280,000. If you secure a 30-year fixed-rate loan at 6.5% interest, entering these figures into the calculator shows an estimated monthly P&I payment of approximately $1,769.79. Over the 30-year life of that loan, you would pay a staggering $357,124.79 in interest alone, making the total cost of the loan over $637,000.
Use the calculator above to adjust these variables to see how different interest rates or down payments affect your affordability.