financial
How Much House Can I Afford?
Learn how to calculate an affordable home budget without overextending yourself.
Start with income and expenses, build realistic assumptions, and test affordability before contacting lenders.
Income and debt
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio, include student loans or other recurring payments, and focus on after-tax take-home pay when estimating monthly housing costs.
Down payment strategy
Balance larger down payments against the need to keep enough liquidity for closing costs, emergency savings, and moving expenses.
Frequently asked questions
How much income is enough?
Lenders commonly look for a debt-to-income ratio below 36%, but aim lower if you want more buffer for changing needs or interest rate shifts.