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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13588 W Boca Raton Road
Surprise, AZ 85379
$545,000
5
Beds
3
Baths
3,042
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6777249
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Spacious 5 bed, 3 full bath home on premium lot! large 3 car garage with epoxy flooring and cabinets with work bench. New quartz counter tops and backsplash. Backyard has nice grass area, huge covered patio, and gated play pool. Outdoor kitchen has grill and sink. Guest bedroom downstairs. Master and 3 other beds upstairs with loft area. Low HOA neighborhood close to schools and walking distance to shopping.
3532 W Warren Lane
Anthem, AZ 85086
$545,000
4
Beds
2.5
Baths
2,140
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6775960
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Beautiful private home in the sought after Del Webb community. New in 2022: A/C, first level luxury vinyl flooring, new carpet on second level, fresh paint throughout, fireplace in family room, granite counters, white cabinets. Oasis backyard has a pebble tech pool with beach entry, desert front & plus synthetic grass rear. Very private yard siding only single story homes and backing one of the largest lots in Anthem. Enjoy all the resort features of this major master planned subdivision. Easy I-17 access.
19550 N Grayhawk Drive Unit 2055
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
$545,000
2
Beds
2
Baths
1,311
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6780489
Property Type
Apartment
Price Type
--
Situated within the guard gated Talon Retreat in Grayhawk, this recently updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom end unit condo offers an open great room floor plan with McDowell Mountain views from every window. The kitchen has stainless steel GE appliances, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash and wood flooring. The primary and guest bathrooms have also been thoughtfully upgraded, adding to the modern charm of this home. Step out onto one of two balconies and take in the morning sun and beautiful mountain views. An attached garage has direct access inside the unit offering convenience and comfort. Upgrades in the last 5 years include interior paint and countertops throughout, new kitchen appliances, new washer and dryer, new window coverings, new fireplace surround, new wood look tile floors in kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms, new carpet, new baseboards throughout, new plumbing fixtures and lighting fixtures, new water heater, Nest thermostat and NAC water conditioning system. Just steps away from this unit is Cachet's community pool, spa and clubhouse, which includes a fitness room. Enjoy access to Grayhawk's additional amenities including tennis courts, walking paths, Grayhawk Park, and two world class golf courses. The Grayhawk community is located in the heart of North Scottsdale within minutes of the 101 Freeway and endless shopping and dining destinations.
2510 E Fountain Street
Mesa, AZ 85213
$545,000
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,855
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6783211
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Beautifully remodeled home w/ no HOA & the added bonus of energy-efficient solar panels, offering both comfort and cost savings. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood on a large lot, it boasts a detached shop w/AC, an extended covered patio, new watering system, & freshly seeded for winter grass. Inside, you'll find an inviting open floor plan adorned with a tastefully renovated interior. The kitchen & bathrooms feature quartz countertops, Bedrosian tile & flooring, custom cabinets & vanities, & designer hardware & fixtures. Enjoy the charming white washed brick fireplace & additional room for a huge pantry, homework room or extra storage space. With easy freeway access & proximity to shopping, dining, & entertainment, this home exudes a lifestyle of convenience & relaxation
