Understanding ‘Disposable Income’ and How This Will Impact Your Mortgage Approval

There are few things more exciting than finding your ideal home, but with the rising cost of housing, a person’s dream home can often come with a very high purchase price. If you’re wondering how much home you can truly afford and how your cost of living will fare for your mortgage approval, here are some of the details on what you can expect when it comes to finding a home at an affordable price.

What Is Your Debt-to-Income Ratio?

Before deciding if a home is right for you, it’s important to calculate what your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is to determine how much house you can afford. The debt amount will include any credit cards, existing mortgages and other loan payments that you pay down each month. To determine your maximum monthly payment, multiply your gross income by 0.36 and divide it by 12. This will give you the expenditure of debt, including your housing payment, that you should not exceed each month.

Determining Your Down Payment

There’s a lot of talk around the ideal amount you should put forward for a down payment, but this percentage can directly impact the amount of the house you can afford. If you are able to put down 20% of the purchase price of your home, this means your monthly mortgage payments will be minimized and this will decrease your DTI ratio. While a home may be out of your reach if you can only put 10 or 15% down, 20% down will ensure a higher amount of disposable income on a monthly basis, making your application more feasible.

Determine Your Lifestyle

While a lender may not reject your application outright if your debt-to-income ratio is higher than suggested, it’s important to know what kind of spending choices make sense for you so that you can make your monthly payments. If you have limited expenses above your mortgage and enjoy a Spartan lifestyle, it’s entirely possible that you’ll be able to manage a higher monthly amount. However, if you don’t have stable employment and are struggling each month, it may be a good idea to consider a less expensive property.

The monthly mortgage payment for your dream home may look like it’s manageable on the surface, but if your DTI ratio exceeds what is suggested, there may be issues with acceptance of your application. If you’re currently in the market for a new home, give me a call for more information – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

2113 E Kempton Road Chandler, AZ 85225

$625,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,279 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6772214

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Ideal location! Right between Downtown Chandler and Gilbert, easy access to freeway, across the street from brand new state-of-the-art park for the kids! Perfect starter home, 2nd home, or investment! Single level, split floor-plan, with expansive open lay out! Low landscape backyard with large covered patio, enough grass for the kids and dogs, diving pool with new variable speed pump, and mature landscaping with orange tree make this the ideal backyard for all buyers! Brand new AC unit!

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731 W Melody Avenue Gilbert, AZ 85233

$625,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,458 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6780474

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Live in the heart of Gilbert. This Immaculate 4 bed 2.5 ba home has new roof, new hot water heater, newer AC, new paint, new flooring, with no neighbors across the street just green grassy park, has a vaulted ceiling grand entrance leads you past the living room and formal dining area and into a beautiful remodeled kitchen that is open and inviting, large family room and 1/2 bathroom downstairs. Upstairs you will love the large primary bedroom w/ spacious bathroom. There is an exit door to the long balcony attached to the primary bedroom. 3 additional good sized bedrooms upstairs with a beautiful hall bathroom. Lush and green grassy backyard sitting under the spacious covered patio. Close to the heart of downtown Gilbert and all the dining, shopping, and entertainment it has to offer

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15550 N Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard Unit 1009 Scottsdale, AZ 85260

$625,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,656 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6726509

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

One of the kind with tons of upgrades done just recently. Brand new flooring with water proof laminate, brand new kitchen with quartz countertops, LG appliances, newer AC unit only 3 years old, brand new windows in entire house just installed, one year old water heater, newer water softener and water osmosis, equipment. Not to mention prime Scottsdale location just east of Loop 101 on Frank Lloyd Blvd . Phoenix Open, Barret Jackson and TONS of shopping/dining at Kierland Commons/Scottsdale Quarter just down the street. Don't miss this opportunity this place offer to you.

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7467 E Pleasant Run -- Scottsdale, AZ 85258

$625,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,590 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6766453

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to your beautifully upgraded 2 bedroom master suite in the highly sought after community off Pleasant Run.The kitchen features new cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances with ample pantry space. The expansive greenroom boasts vaulted ceilings and a cozy fireplace. Relax on your private patio wile overlooking lush gardens.

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4120 E Donato Drive Gilbert, AZ 85298

$625,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

2,114 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6774491

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Discover the charm of this exceptional home situated on a desirable corner lot in a wonderful, gated community. Offering a split floor plan that ensures privacy and functionality, this home is perfect for modern living. The inviting great room, complete with a cozy gas fireplace, is bathed in natural light, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. The large kitchen is a chef's delight featuring an expansive island and a gas cooktop, ideal for both everyday meals as well as entertaining. The home also includes a versatile den, perfect for a home office or reading nook. Retreat to the spacious primary suite, boasting a luxurious bathroom for your personal sanctuary. Step outside to the patio courtyard with a firepit, an idyllic setting for relaxing evenings in a quiet neighborhood. Enjoy the added benefit of numerous amenities while taking advantage of the golf course, pool and spa, tennis and pickleball courts, fitness center, and clubhouse. This home is a rare find, offering a blend of comfort, style, and community to help you live your best life!

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3535 E Covina Street Mesa, AZ 85213

Open House

$625,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,584 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6769474

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

**AMAZING TRI-LEVEL with GORGEOUS CURB APPEAL** Be impressed with the lush lawn and fragrant roses as you step into this updated Mesa home. Sunlight, vaulted ceilings & neutral paint give this home an airy feel. The main level features a large great room & formal dining area with views of the spacious backyard filled with grass, trees & garden! The updated eat-in kitchen boasts 2 large pantries, granite counters, gas range, stainless appliances & French door refrigerator. Upstairs you'll find the owners suite with double vanity, tile shower, garden tub & walk-in closet. There are two more bedrooms & bath upstairs. The downstairs family room makes a perfect game room, play room or media space. Two bedrooms & bath complete the downstairs. You'll love.... ...the storage of the spacious 3 car garage. There is a soft water system, R/O system too. Located across the street from green space, its like having your own park! Come and see this beautiful home today!

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43317 N Whisper Court Anthem, AZ 85086

$624,999

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,168 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6781323

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This beautifully renovated 4-bedroom + Office, 2.5-bathroom in a CULDESAC with NO NEIGHBORS IN FRONT, perfectly blends luxury and practicality, with thoughtful upgrades throughout. The fully remodeled kitchen features quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, sleek fixtures, and a reverse osmosis water system. Each bathroom has been thoughtfully updated with new toilets, sinks, fixtures, and stylish flooring. For year-round comfort, the home is equipped with a newer AC, furnace, water heater, and water softener. Outside, you'll find a sparkling pool with a built-in BBQ, ideal for entertaining. The home also boasts a stunning updated stairwell, epoxy garage floors, and a meticulously maintained exterior. Enjoy beautiful hiking trails nearby. —making it not just a house, but a true lifestyle

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20218 W Hollyhock Street Buckeye, AZ 85396

$624,995

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,630 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6698296

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Ease and Elegant design blend beautifully in this ranch-style Pomona plan at our Estates at Arroyo Seco in Buckeye. An inviting great room is at the heart of the open layout, adjacent to a dining nook and a gourmet kitchen showcasing 42'' white shaker cabinets with brushed nickel pulls, quartz countertops, full tile backsplash, GE Plus stainless-steel appliances w/pyramid hood and 36'' gas cooktop, center island with an undermount stainless-steel sink. The impressive primary suite offers a walk-in closet and a private bath that includes dual vanities and a tiled deluxe walk-in shower with rain shower. Three additional bedrooms and two additional bathrooms, a central study and a laundry round out the floor plan, which includes a multi-slide door leading out to a covered patio, a 2-car garage, a 1-car side turn garage, paver driveway and walkway and front yard landscaping. This home also includes 10' ceilings, Two-Tone paint package, Pendant lighting at the kitchen island, 9 x 35 tile flooring throughout with carpet only in the bedrooms, ceiling fan pre-wires at all bedrooms, study, great room and patio, exterior coach lights, pre-plumb sink at the laundry room, garage service door at 2-car garage, gas stub at the patio and soft water loop pre-plumbed in the garage. Located on an 8760 square foot corner lot.

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10429 S 47th Lane Laveen, AZ 85339

$624,995

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,390 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6700668

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

The Deacon plan includes an attached RV garage, plus two tandem garage bays! Inside, a well-appointed gourmet kitchen with a walk-in pantry is flanked by a great room and a dining room with covered patio access with center meet back doors. You'll also appreciate an elegant primary suite with a private bathroom deluxe walk in shower and ample walk-in closet space. A mudroom, a convenient laundry and a fourth bedroom will complete the plan.

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4735 W Stargazer Place Laveen, AZ 85339

$624,995

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,630 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6707290

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

An inviting covered porch welcomes guests to the charming Pomona plan. A spacious great room is at the heart of the open layout, adjacent to a roomy breakfast nook and an impressive kitchen with a walk-in pantry and center island. This home will be built with either a study and interior guest quarters. The lavish primary suite offers a generous walk-in closet and a private bath with double sinks. A convenient laundry and covered patio are also included as well as a 3 car garage.

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10519 S 47th Lane Laveen, AZ 85339

$624,995

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,390 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6720455

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This Deacon plan includes an attached RV garage, plus two tandem garage bays! Inside, a well-appointed gourmet kitchen with 42'' white cabinets, quartz counters, black matte fixtures, and a walk-in pantry. The kitchen is flanked by a great room and a dining room with center meet doors opening to the covered patio. This home is finished with stone tile and carpeted bedrooms. You'll also appreciate an elegant primary suite with a private deluxe bathroom with large walk-in shower, dual sinks, and ample walk-in closet space. A mudroom, a convenient laundry and a flex room complete the plan.

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4828 W Stargazer Place Laveen, AZ 85339

$624,995

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,390 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6686946

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

The Deacon plan includes an attached RV garage, plus two car tandem garage! Inside, a well-appointed Gourmet kitchen with a walk-in pantry, Quartz counters Shaker cabinets and stainless-steel appliances is flanked by a great room and a dining room with covered patio access and center meet door. You'll also appreciate an elegant primary suite with a private bathroom featuring Deluxe walk-in shower and ample walk-in closet space. A mudroom, a convenient laundry and a flex room will complete the plan. Select homes will include deluxe options in the primary bathroom and gourmet features in the kitchen.

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