Home Affordability, How Much Home Can You Afford?
How Much Home Can You Afford?
The single most important part of buying a house is figuring out how much you can realistically afford to pay.
You'll
have to take a good look at your budget, debts, credit reports, and
credit score. Once you have a good picture of your financial status,
start saving as much money as you can for a down payment, closing costs
and other extra expenses that come along with buying a house. Extra
expenses could include paying for a home inspection (around $300 - $500
depending on where you live) or hiring a moving company after the sale
is final.
Depending
on the condition of your finances -- if you have a lot of debt, errors
on your credit report, or a low credit score -- getting ready
financially could take six to 12 months or more! If your credit score
falls below 620, lenders may see you as a risky borrower. It might be
worth your time to take a year and work on building a better credit
report before taking on the responsibility of a mortgage. Also, if you
qualify for a lower interest rate you could save thousands of dollars
over the life of the loan. Be wary of companies that offer to repair
your credit for a fee.
Determining a Mortgage You Can Live With
There
are a few basic formulas commonly used by lenders to determine how much
of a mortgage you can reasonably afford. These formulas are called
qualifying ratios because they estimate the amount of money you should
spend on mortgage payments in relation to your income and other
expenses. It is important to remember that these ratios may vary from
lender to lender and each application is handled on an individual basis,
so the guidelines are just that - guidelines.
Generally
speaking, to qualify for conventional loans, housing expenses should
not exceed 26 to 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Monthly
housing costs include the mortgage principal, interest, taxes and
insurance. For example, if your annual income is $30,000, your gross
monthly income is $2,500, and $2,500 x 28 percent = $700. So you would
probably qualify for a conventional home loan that requires monthly
payments of $700.
When
budgeting to buy a home, it is important to allow enough money for
additional expenses such as maintenance and utilities. If you are
purchasing an existing home, gather utility cost averages and
maintenance costs from previous owners or tenants to help you better
prepare for homeownership.
Generally
speaking, if your finances are in decent shape, you could look for a
home priced at two to three times your gross yearly salary. And while
using mortgage calculators can give you a rough idea of how large of a
mortgage you might qualify for, talking to a lender or mortgage broker
in person will give you a more accurate figure.
If you or anyone you know needs professional real estate advice, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Kim Kroner Realtor - Associate Broker
Top Producer - NVAR Multi Million Dollar Sales Club
Member - Long & Foster Chairman's Club
Long & Foster Christie's International
kim@kimkroner.com
(703) 946-2526
(800) 9611328
www.kimkroner.com
309 Maple Ave W. Vienna, VA 22180
Why is pre-approval important at the beginning of the home buying process?
FX9627512, 11990 MARKET ST #215 RESTON, VA
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