Mortgage Calculator – How Much of a House Can You Afford?
Use the Dr. Home Finance mortgage calculator before you talk to a mortgage lender to learn more about what determines your monthly mortgage payments, and get an idea of how much you can spend on a home.
Head to the Dr. Home Finance mortgage payment calculator to get started.
You can find out what your monthly mortgage payment might be by entering information like your down payment amount and home price.
Using the Dr. Home Finance pre-approval mortgage calculator is just one of the many free online tools you can use to better understand your buying profile. Before you use the calculator, learn more about some of the elements that affect your mortgage rate and the likelihood of getting a loan.
A mortgage pre-approval calculation involves 7 key factors.
1. The purchase price
The home price, which can vary significantly depending on location, property condition, the property’s age, and the seller, is one of the most critical factors to consider.
The majority of homes throughout the U.S. are valued between $150,000 and $500,000 (or more). But don’t get too worried –you don’t have to put down the whole amount when buying a home. That’s why it’s important to think about your down payment.
2. The down payment
The home affordability calculator should also contain a field for your down payment, or the amount you plan to pay upfront. Your down payment amount will directly impact the overall mortgage.
Down payments depend on the type of loan you’re seeking. For example, an FHA loan requires as little as 3% down.
3. The interest rate
It’s a smart idea to play with different numbers beforehand to see what your monthly payment might be since you won’t know what mortgage rate you qualify for until you actually meet with a loan officer.
According to the Dr. Home Finance mortgage pre-approval calculator, a down payment of $20,000 on a home valued at $200,000 with a 4 percent interest rate would result in an estimated monthly payment of $1,213.93.
A lower mortgage rate of 3.5 percent reduces the monthly payment to $1,163.68.
4. The loan term
The amount you pay each month depends on the loan term you choose. Longer loan terms result in lower monthly payments but mean more money paid to the lender over the long term due to accrued interest.
The key to optimizing a mortgage is to get the lowest interest rate possible for the longest loan term possible. By extending the duration of the loan, you can invest the extra hundreds of dollars per month that you save in higher-return investments, which more than compensate for your interest payments.
5. The property taxes
When determining your monthly payments, also consider annual property taxes. Taxes vary from place to place and change annually.
6. Homeowners Insurance
The amount you pay for homeowners insurance should also be factored into your home purchase cost. Homeowner’s insurance averages $800 to $1,000 per year.
7. HOA dues
When figuring out your monthly payments, you should also take into account potential homeowners association fees.
HOAs usually cover exterior grounds and facilities maintenance, landscaping, and security. Some HOAs charge hundreds of dollars per month.
Now let’s look at what goes into the mortgage rate you’ll be offered by lenders.
A number of factors impact the mortgage rate you can qualify for
1. Credit score
A credit score of 740 or higher is required for the best possible loan. Because mortgage lenders evaluate your ability to repay them, you might have to pay more if your credit score is lower.
2. Work experience
Lenders want to see a track record of your employment and income in order to gauge your annual gross income. You’ll need to provide the previous W2s that list your annual gross income.
3. Cash flow
Lenders want to make sure you aren’t spending everything on your mortgage when they give you a loan. You must be able to show recent bank statements to prove this.
Mortgage Approval Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take property management into account when calculating the cost of a mortgage?
It is wise to consider property management expenses when purchasing a property. Property management costs can vary depending on the type of property you buy and the amount of work required to maintain it.
It’s smart to prepare for unexpected repairs such as broken toilets or lights, but you should also budget at least a few thousand dollars annually for landscaping and routine maintenance.
Are you required to show your annual income when applying for a mortgage?
In addition to showing your yearly income, you also have to show your income over time.
To give the lender a better sense of your financial well-being and earning history, gather your previous tax returns, 1099s, W2s, etc.
What is the process of paying off a mortgage by taking out a new loan?
Taking out a new loan, or refinancing can happen at any time after you have been paying your mortgage for a few years.
There is the potential to save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan by refinancing your mortgage.
Is it possible to purchase a house while having credit card debt or student loan debt?
Your overall Debt-to-income ratio is what a lender looks at when you apply for a mortgage to get a sense of how much you pay in total debt every month.
Having excessive monthly debt payments may prevent you from obtaining a good loan rate. If you are in this situation, try reducing your debt to improve your chances of obtaining a loan.
What is mortgage protection?
In order to protect against losses from a potential mortgage loan default, lenders require private mortgage insurance for buyers who put down less than 20% on a down payment.
So how much house can you afford?
There are many things that go into the home-buying process, and many factors determine the overall amount you pay.
Using the mortgage pre-approval calculator from Dr. Home Finance prior to meeting with a lender can help you better estimate the payment you can afford.
The process of buying a home can be challenging. However, with the right approach, patience, and determination, you’ll end up in a place you love.
Start Your Research Process. Find a Dr. Home Finance Verified Banker Today.
We are not a lending company. We help you find the best physician loan on the market.
You can find doctor loans through an online tool like Dr. HomeFinance that compares multiple lenders for you. Simply select which state you are looking at living in and see how big of a house can afford by physician mortgage lenders.
Apply now to begin the process of owning your dream home.
