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Home Affordability Calculator
Find your buying budget using the standard 28/36 DTI rule. Enter income, debts, and down payment, we'll show max price, comfortable price, and your monthly payment.
Your numbers
Standard 28/36 DTI rule. Conservative, sustainable.
Maximum affordable price
$491,700Standard
- Comfortable price (80%)
- $393,360
- Max monthly housing
- $2,800
- Max loan amount
- $431,700
- Down payment
- $60,000
How this is calculated
Max housing = min(28% income, 36% income − debts)
Max loan = PV of max housing payment at given rate & term
Comfortable price (80%) is a buffer, leaves room for taxes, insurance, and life.
Want a deeper analysis?
Plan your purchase with our advisory team
We'll factor in property taxes, insurance, HOA, reserves, and rate-buy-down options to land on a number you can actually live with.
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Common questions
What's the 28/36 rule?
Front-end DTI (housing payment) shouldn't exceed 28% of gross monthly income. Back-end DTI (housing + all other debt) shouldn't exceed 36%. Most conventional lenders allow up to 43%–45% back-end, but the 28/36 rule is a healthier sustainability target.
Why is my pre-approval higher than this calculator?
Lenders often pre-approve at 43%–50% DTI, especially for FHA or conventional loans with strong credit. That's the maximum you can borrow, not the maximum you should. The 28/36 rule reflects what's livable, not just what's loanable.
Should I include taxes and insurance?
Yes, for accuracy, your housing payment should include principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and HOA (PITIA). This calculator estimates total payment from rate and term; in real underwriting, taxes and insurance can add 20%–30% on top of P+I.
How does down payment affect what I can afford?
A larger down payment lowers the loan size and the monthly payment, which lets you afford a higher purchase price within the same DTI. It also avoids PMI below 80% LTV. Trade-off: cash you put down can't fund repairs, reserves, or a second property.
Need help interpreting your numbers?
Ready to plan your purchase with our advisory team?
Pre-approval and affordability aren't the same thing. We'll model down-payment, rate-buy-down, and reserve scenarios that protect you long after closing.
No slides. No sales pitch. Just a focused strategy call.