Step 4: How much house can you afford?
What, Why, How
Practice what you learned
Check your understanding
Do it yourself
Practice what you learned
Read this case and answer the questions that follow.
Brianna is thinking about buying a home. She has already created a budget and calculated that she has $23,000 for the down payment and closing costs. Her debt payments (a student loan payment of $120, a $170 car payment, and $30 for debt on her credit card) are $320 per month.
| Monthly Income | $3,800 |
| Other Debt (monthly) | $320 |
| Cash Available for Down Payment + Closing Costs | $23,000 |
Brianna found the following interest rates:
| 30 year fixed mortgage | 6.25% |
| 15 year fixed mortgage | 5.85% |
Use Credit.com’s Home Affordability Calculator to estimate how much home Brianna can afford. Enter her monthly income, other debt, and the 15 year fixed mortgage interest rate into the calculator. Then select “15 Years” for the loan term.
Select the choice that matches your results in the Home Affordability Calculator.
What purchase price can Brianna afford?
How much will Brianna’s monthly principle, interest, taxes, and insurance payment be if she spends 28% of her income on housing expenses (estimated using a 28% front ratio)?
Check your credit
Determine your monthly housing budget
Determine your down payment
How much house can you afford?