How Much Home Can You Afford?

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Posted: 7/28/2022

How Much Home Can You Afford?

If buying a new home is at the top of your priority list this year, you're not alone. The housing market in the Phoenix area is one of the hottest in the country, with people flocking to Arizona for a variety of reasons. But before selecting the home of your dreams, you may be wondering how much you can afford to spend on a mortgage payment. There are several key factors that play into that number, but a mortgage lender will walk you through those details when you're ready to apply and answer any questions you may have. If you're considering purchasing a Fulton Home, one of our qualified lending partners can help get you started on an application if the time is right for you and your family.

However, if you're not ready to speak with a mortgage professional just yet, you'll want to consider a few key factors, such as your monthly gross income, savings, current debt, lifestyle and credit score. These five areas will be the largest deciding factors to help you determine what you can afford.

That being said, the first and most important aspect of figuring out how much home you can afford is your monthly income. Write down how much you bring home after deductions and include any other income you receive from investments or side jobs, if applicable. The 28/36 ratio is a good rule of thumb, and it states that you shouldn't spend more than 28 percent of your monthly gross income on your mortgage payment or 36 percent on total debts, which include student loans, car payments and credit card bills. For example, if you earn $5,000 your monthly mortgage payment shouldn't exceed $1,400 and your total debt shouldn't exceed $1,800. These are two of the ratios mortgage lenders factor into their decision on how much of a home loan to approve you for. Depending on the type of loan you're seeking, these ratios range from 28/36 to 33/45.

Aside from factoring in finances, another important aspect of buying a home is the amount of savings you can devote towards a down payment. Many people are under the assumption that 20 percent is the minimum needed to purchase a home, but that is not the case. There are several down-payment assistance programs out there starting with no money down, while other programs can range from two to five percent. So, based on the loan you qualify for you may only need a few thousand dollars to make your home-buying dreams come true.

Next, think about the lifestyle you currently lead and what you enjoy. If you love dining out at nice restaurants, buying fancy clothes and shoes and vacationing frequently, consider whether or not you'll still be able to afford those things with a mortgage and household expenses. If these items are important to you, it's a good idea to calculate your average entertainment and miscellaneous expenses in with your bills to see how you'll fare in your proposed new lifestyle.

Finally, everything circles back to your credit score. Different types of loans require different minimum FICO scores, and approval for FHA and conventional loans can range from just below 600 to above 640 in some cases. Your credit score will also affect your interest rate and other variables that can change your monthly payment by several hundred dollars a month. The higher your credit score, the lower your monthly mortgage payment will be. If your score needs improving, consider giving yourself time to raise your credit before purchasing.

So, how much home can you really afford? That answer will be unique to each individual. Your best bet is to contact a reputable loan officer who can help you better calculate how much you will qualify for and what your monthly payment will be based on the home price, down payment, interest rate and loan type.

If you're interested in purchasing a Fulton Home soon, don't hesitate to reach out to https://www.fultonhomes.com/preferred-lenders to get started. And for the latest Fulton Homes available across Arizona, visit: https://www.fultonhomes.com/find-your-home.

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