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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11064 E Reginald Avenue Mesa, AZ 85212

$554,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

2,112 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6718268

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This spacious and stunning home offers 3 bedrooms with 2 baths in the lovely Nova Vista neighborhood. Your family will love the large Bonus/Gaming Room close to the split bedrooms. The home offers a large kitchen that opens up to the family room and dining room making this great for entertaining! Enjoy the backyard under the covered patio, or out in the grass! Front and back yard are low maintenance with great appeal. It is located close to schools, shopping and easy access to Highway 202. Easy access, come see it today!

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16572 W Lincoln Street Goodyear, AZ 85338

$554,900

5 Beds

3.5 Baths

3,452 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6725169

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Discover this stunning 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 2-story home in a prime, strategic location. Boasting a massive 3,452 sqft of living space. This residence is filled with natural light, creating an airy, bright, and cozy atmosphere. The kitchen is a chef's dream with a double wall oven, granite countertops, and a spacious island. Step outside to the covered patio overlooking a private play pool, pavers, a charming gazebo, and a meticulously maintained backyard with trees and shrubs. Enjoy easy access to the 303 and I-10, and the convenience of being within walking distance to schools and abundant shopping. The community also features beautiful parks, perfect for outdoor activities!

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8448 E Cambridge Avenue Scottsdale, AZ 85257

$554,900

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,020 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6726694

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

WOW! This home has recently been remodeled by a licensed contractor. The home features new front half of roof, fresh paint, new flooring, and updated fixtures throughout. Walk in to a spacious living room filled with natural light. The kitchen has been completely redone with new white cabinets, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and new hardware. Both bedrooms boast new carpet, fresh paint, and new light fixtures. Both bathrooms have been updated with new vanities, counter tops, tiled showers, and fixtures. The backyard has a large covered patio and easy maintenance landscaping! No HOA!

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15971 N 91st Drive Peoria, AZ 85382

$554,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,310 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6739323

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful Single Level Home Located in Desired Arrowhead Horizons area. This home features, a Formal Living & Dining Room w/Vaulted Ceilings, Open Kitchen w/Breakfast Bar, Appliances Included & Eat-In Dining Room w/4 Bedroom, 2 Bath. Spacious Family Room, Master Bedroom w/Walk-In Closet, Master Bathroom w/Dual Sinks & Separate Tub & Shower, Split Floor Plan, Wood Shutters Throughout, Covered Backyard Patio, Sparkling Swimming Pool, 2 Car Garage, RV Gate w/RV PARKING, NO HOA. Walking Distance to Desert Harbor Elementary & Within minutes to Centennial High School. Close to Loop 101, Arrowhead Mall and the Phoenix Cardinals Stadium and much, much more

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2830 S Arroyo Court Chandler, AZ 85286

$554,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,833 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6740804

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautifully upgraded Clemente Ranch single-level home with bright and open floor plan. Large corner lot home located in a quiet cul-de-sac with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. No carpet! Hardwood floor in rooms! Brand new Quartz counter in kitchen and bathrooms. Newly finished cabinets. Updated lighting. Open spacious kitchen with separate formal and family room. Spacious backyard has an RV gate, extended driveway, covered patio, flagstone, and pebble tec pool, and ample space for your garden and perfect for entertaining. It's close to Intel, Chandler Mall, Wells Fargo, freeways, Ocotillo Village, etc. Perfect family-friendly neighborhood for your client! Walking distance from 2 children's parks: Chuparusa and Dobson Park!

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11490 N 162nd Lane Surprise, AZ 85379

$554,900

4 Beds

3.5 Baths

2,695 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6741317

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to finer living in this beautifully appointed Shea Home. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and 3 car garage. Equipped with a junior on-suite on the main floor for multigenerational living. Enjoy the well designed high end kitchen with KitchenAid appliances, white quartz countertops, and deluxe high end cabinetry. Formal living and family rooms along with a flex space provides ample space for comfortable living. The upstairs laundry room is convenient next to the large secondary bedrooms and guest bath. Let's not forget the huge owner's suite with super shower and large walk in closet. Fresh turf in the back with a large paver patio make this backyard complete and ready for those sweet backyard gatherings. Check out the mountain view and the convenience to Prasada Shopping!

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1225 E San Angelo Avenue Gilbert, AZ 85234

$554,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,846 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6736782

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Discover your dream oasis in the heart of Gilbert with this stunning move-in ready 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom POOL home, nestled in a serene neighborhood with NO HOA! Step inside and be greeted by a spacious living room, featuring soaring vaulted ceilings and oversized windows that bathe the space in natural light. This highly sought-after floor plan boasts a welcoming great room, seamlessly connecting an open kitchen and a cozy family room adorned with a beautiful fireplace—perfect for entertaining and everyday living. Recent updates include fresh interior paint, meticulously manicured landscaping, essential roof repairs, a brand-new stainless steel dishwasher, and a revitalized pool that's been drained, acid-washed, and freshly filled. Don't miss this opportunity to live in a beautifully updated home that effortlessly blends comfort, style, and functionality. Come see it today and let your next chapter begin!

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6516 W Tonto Drive Glendale, AZ 85308

$554,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,865 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6724766

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Want a 4.25% - 4.99% interest rate and AFFORD this home? Seller to contribute to a 2-1 RATE BUY-DOWN! Only 5 mins from the new Phoenix Children's Hospital and 101 Fwy. This cute 4 bed/ 2 bath home has fresh interior neutral paint and new carpeting in all rooms, features vaulted ceilings, ample amount of cabinets for storage with tons of natural light with many windows! Island seating & an eat-in kitchen area for the open concept families like. Enjoy cozy evenings by the gas fireplace in the family room with natural plank wood flooring. Step outside to an extended covered patio overlooking a beautifully mature, tranquil landscaped backyard or the large front patio area. 2.5 car extended garage includes cabinets on both sides for plenty of organization. Walking distance to Dos Lagos Park. 2nd bathroom seller is offering a remodeling credit to convert the shower/tub if new buyer would like.

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7031 W Morrow Drive Glendale, AZ 85308

$554,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,800 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6759901

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This 3-bedroom home with a blue pool in Arrowhead Ranch exudes charm and comfort! A grassy front yard, 2-car garage, brick veneer, and code entry box in the front door are just the beginning. Discover an open layout with all-new double-pane windows and doors, vaulted ceilings, sunny bay windows, and a two-way fireplace. The kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, plenty of honey oak cabinets, granite counters, and tile backsplash. The main bedroom features backyard access, a fireplace, and a lavish bathroom with a jetted tub, glass enclosure shower, dual sinks, and a walk-in closet. In the backyard, you'll find a swimming pool with a heater and chiller, green grass, two covered patios, and a pool house with a/c. Plus, the roof is only 3 years old! You won't be disappointed!

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21279 E Alyssa Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142

$554,500

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,240 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6742196

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Now is your chance to have an amazing house at a GREAT price in Queen Creek, named the #1 BEST small city in AZ (by azcentral)! This 2240sf 4-bedroom home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac offers TONS of upgrades, including a new AC w/ a 10yr warranty & maintenance plan, a water softener, reverse osmosis system, a lg walk-in master shower w/ 2 showerheads & much more. The lg open living area flows into a beautiful eat-in kitchen w/ SS appliances & formal dining. The inviting lush backyard oasis has a lg covered patio offering a misting system for those hot AZ days. Find your happy place amongst multiple trees & greenery, a flourishing garden, a cozy fire-pit, outdoor lighting, as well as an RV gate. The extended garage has a finished floor w/ extra storage, a MyQ camera/remote & MUCH MORE!

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10223 E Ulysses Avenue Mesa, AZ 85212

$554,379

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,994 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6769962

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to this GORGEOUS 2024 home in the highly sought-after Medley at Avalon Crossing! Over $83k in UPGRADES! This FANTASTIC home combines modern elegance + thoughtful living spaces! GOURMET kitchen features quartz countertops + Whirlpool stainless appliance suite! The great room is perfect for entertaining, while the upstairs loft offers additional living space. Private primary suite w/ensuite bath! Balcony! Situated in a BEAUTIFUL community, residents can take advantage of wonderful amenities including a heated pool, playgrounds, bocce ball courts, and scenic walking paths lined with trees. Perfectly designed for modern living, this home offers luxury, comfort, and community all in one! WELCOME HOME!

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225 E Mclellan Road Mesa, AZ 85201

$554,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,850 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6746273

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Do not miss this charming 3-bedroom 2 bath upgraded home. This is one of the best lots in the sub-division. Wonderful corner lot with greenbelt across the street. Your entry leads to a spacious great room with 10-foot ceilings and windows looking out to your resort style backyard. The kitchen has been highly upgraded with beautiful cabinets, massive island and quartz counters. Enjoy a breakfast room as well as a large breakfast bar. Your master suite has a walk-in shower, dble vanity, water closet and a large walk-in closet. Both secondary bedrooms are good sized and share a bathroom. Large backyard with a sparkling Pebble Tech pool and lots of privacy from this corner lot. Whole house filtration system and solar. Custom Wood Blinds Throughout.

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