Home Affordability Calculator
How much house your income supports under the 28/36 underwriting rule.
How this number is built
Doing it by hand
Step 1
Use gross household income before tax, since that is what underwriting uses.
Step 2
List every recurring debt payment: cars, student loans, minimum card payments, child support.
Step 3
Enter the cash you can put down after keeping a reserve for closing costs and repairs.
Step 4
Test the rate a point higher — that is what a rate move does to your budget.
Step 5
Compare the result to what you would actually be comfortable paying each month.
What people ask next
Why do the two ratios differ?
The first limits housing alone, the second limits all debt. Whichever binds first sets your budget.
Do lenders ever exceed 36%?
Yes, some programmes allow higher ratios with strong credit or reserves, but the payment still has to be affordable in practice.
Searches this page answers
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| how much house can i afford | How to Calculate Home Affordability |
| mortgage affordability | How to Calculate Home Affordability |
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