Home Affordability Calculator
How Much House Can You Really Afford?
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. Understanding your budget before you start house hunting is crucial to avoiding financial strain. This Home Affordability Calculator helps you estimate the maximum home price you can afford based on your income, debts, down payment, and current interest rates.
Understanding the 28/36 Rule
Most lenders use the "28/36 rule" to determine how much money they are willing to lend you. This rule is composed of two debt-to-income (DTI) ratios:
- Front-End Ratio (28%): Your estimated monthly housing costs (mortgage principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.
- Back-End Ratio (36%): Your total monthly debt payments (housing costs plus credit cards, student loans, car loans, etc.) should not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income.
This calculator computes both scenarios and uses the lower of the two figures to ensure you remain within safe lending limits.
Factors That Impact Your Affordability
Several variables can drastically change your buying power:
- Interest Rates: Even a 1% increase in interest rates can reduce your buying power by tens of thousands of dollars.
- Down Payment: A larger down payment reduces the loan amount, which lowers your monthly payments and allows you to afford a more expensive home.
- Monthly Debts: High monthly obligations (like an expensive car payment) lower your back-end ratio, reducing the amount available for a mortgage.
- Taxes and Insurance: In high-tax areas, a significant portion of your monthly payment goes to escrow rather than equity, reducing the loan size you can carry.
Tips for Improving Your Home Buying Budget
If the calculated amount is lower than you hoped, consider paying down high-interest consumer debt before applying for a mortgage. Reducing your monthly obligations directly increases the amount available for your mortgage payment. Additionally, saving for a larger down payment can help you secure better loan terms and avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).