How Much Can You Afford?
Deciding how much house you can afford is a personal decision. Many factors come into play. How much can I borrow? How much can I put toward my down payment? What size monthly payment can I afford?
There are no black and white answers to these questions. Its a matter of give and take. If you plan on a 30 year mortgage, you can probably make a lower down payment (or perhaps no down payment at all) and still manage the monthly payments. If, on the other hand, you plan on a 15 year mortgage, you’ll probably want to make a larger down payment to keep your monthly payments in line with what you can afford.
How large a down payment can I make?
Many buyers look at their cash on hand as their only source for their down payment. This simply is not the case. One way to fund or partially fund a down payment is by using a gift. Parents, grandparents and other family members are often eager to help by making a cash gift toward the purchase of your home. And, of course, if you are selling a home, the equity you’ve built up can be applied to your down payment.
But these are not your only options. We can help you explore all your down payment options, including low down payment and 100% mortgage financing options that might be right for you.
What size monthly payment can I afford?
When determining what size monthly payment you can afford, you’ll want to consider what other monthly expenses you have. Tangible expenses such as car payments, day care and utility bills, all play a role in how large a monthly payment you can afford.
There are also the intangible expenses or lifestyle expenses that you’ll want to consider. Things such as dining out, travel and when you buy your next car can effect how much you can afford. Are you willing to curtail or delay some of these expenses in order to afford a larger monthly payment? Sure, we can tell you where WE would max you out at, but that doesn’t mean you can comfortably afford it.
How much can I borrow?
This is a question we can help you with before you begin your home search. Our mortgage calculators will help you see how your down payment, monthly payment and the amount you borrow are all interrelated.
We can answer any questions you may have about the mortgage process. But the best way we can help is by getting you pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. To get started, simply give me a call at 269.360.7109 or click here to fill out the loan application. We look forward to helping you buy your dream home.
Latest Blog Post
HUD Home Financing Options
Understanding HUD Home Financing Options: A Comprehensive Guide
Buying a home is an exhilarating yet intricate process. For many, the dream of homeownership can seem daunting due to financial constraints. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers various financing options designed to assist individuals in purchasing HUD-owned homes, making the dream of owning a home more achievable. It is important to have a lender that is up to the challenge of navigating HUD home financing.
These properties are foreclosed homes. The previous owner had taken out an FHA mortgage and didn’t make the payments. Subsequently, these homes were foreclosed on. Often, these homes require repairs, and the utilities can’t be turned on. Frankly, HUD (the seller) doesn’t care – the properties are sold as-is, and HUD will not make any repairs to the home. That’s where things can get hairy if the lender is not equipped to navigate the process.
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