Buying a home is costly, especially in today’s economy. There are many factors that affect housing prices, including location, number of rooms, size of the lot and proximity to amenities. With homes becoming higher and higher in costs, you may be asking yourself how much you can afford on a home?
It’s More Than Just Your Paycheck
When looking into purchasing your dream home, it’s important to understand that while your income is a key player in pre-approval there’s actually quite a bit more to it.
Here’s a few factors you’ll need to consider before purchasing a new home.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
A person’s ability to buy a home is often affected by the amount of debt that they carry. If a person has a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, then it would be difficult for them to qualify for a mortgage.
If you are applying for a mortgage, you need to make sure that your loan will not exceed your ability to pay back. It is important for people with high debt ratios to consider the interest rates on their loans and if they are able to pay them back as the higher DTI you have, the higher interest rates you are likely to receive.
Credit Score
A credit score is commonly used as one of the ways to determine how much a person can afford on their monthly income. A credit score is calculated based on an individual’s capacity to pay back their debts, as well as their repayment history and last three years of payment history.
A low credit score can make it very difficult for people to buy a home. Some lenders may not approve or may require an increased down payment or other conditions that could make the loan harder to afford.
Down Payment
Buying a home is a big investment that requires some financial stability and savings. If you are planning to buy a home, you should have an idea of how much money you need for your down payment.
Mortgages require down payments that range from 5% to 20%. Depending on the type of loan, borrowers will need to make this payment within 15 days.
Closing Costs
Closing costs are often a surprise when someone is buying a home, which can make it difficult for the buyer due to the unexpected fees.
Closing costs include fees such as transferring ownership of the home, title insurance and property taxes, which are not included in the purchase price of a house. Other common closing costs include credit report fee, mortgage appraisal fee, and title insurance fee.
These fees can become quite large which is why it’s important to negotiate with your lender to cut out any fees possible.
What Can You Afford?
Buying a home can be a difficult financial decision. With this House payment calculator, you can determine the amount you need to earn to buy a home equivalent to your current monthly expenses. Just keep in mind the above mentioned factors when making the choice to purchase a home.
