Page Header is ‘How to determine how much you can spend on a new home’

Before you begin the home buying process, it’s important determine exactly how much money you can afford to spend on your new home. Knowing this information upfront can save you a lot of time and effort and is one of the keys to long-term successful homeownership. Here’s how:

To determine how much you can realistically afford, you’ll want to determine how much you will have for a down payment. In general, you will need to have at least 10 percent of the home’s price for a down payment. If you want the best loan terms, you should plan to have at least 20 percent for a down payment.

When making lending decisions, banks also consider the cost of housing in comparison to your income. Your monthly housing expenses including your mortgage, taxes, and insurance should be no more than 28 percent of your monthly income. Of course, your other debts also play a factor. In general, lenders want your total debt-to-income ratio – which includes things like credit card debt, child support payments, and student loans – to be no more than 36 percent.

So, in addition to a good credit history, these are some of the things that lenders are looking for. But it is very important to remember that qualifying for a loan and being able to afford that loan are two different things. Before you make such a large commitment, you’ll want to consider a number of other factors too. For example, what are your other monthly expenses? And how secure is your income? In other words, what is your comfort level?

Keep in mind that there are some hidden costs of homeownership that you’ll need to factor in to your budget when you become a homeowner such as maintenance costs, association dues, and utilities.

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Money Management International (MMI), a HUD-certified housing counseling agency, is celebrating National Homeownership Month throughout June by providing potential and existing homeowners with valuable tips and tools. Visit the updated Homeownership and Home Loans section of MoneyManagement.org to learn more. 

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