Mortgage & Affordability Guides
Everything you need to figure out what you can afford, choose the right loan, and avoid the most expensive mistakes first-time buyers make.
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Open calculatorBeginner Guides
Start here if you're new to the topic.How Much House Can I Afford? Complete Guide
Full beginner-to-advanced guide on home affordability, the 28/36 rule, and salary-based examples.
Read guideThe 28/36 Rule Explained
What the 28/36 rule means, how lenders use it, and how to apply it to your own home buying decision — with examples by income.
Read guideHow Much Down Payment Do You Need for a House?
You can buy a home with as little as 0–3.5% down, but 20% avoids PMI. See all loan types and what each down payment really costs.
Read guideFHA Loan Requirements Explained
FHA loan requirements made simple: credit score minimums, down payment, debt-to-income limits, and the full 2026 eligibility checklist.
Read guideHow Mortgage Amortization Works
Understand exactly how each mortgage payment is split between interest and principal — and how that ratio shifts dramatically over time.
Read guideMost Popular
The guides readers reference most.How Much House Can I Afford on $100k Salary?
What price home you can comfortably afford on a $100,000 salary — with monthly payment examples, down payment scenarios, and tips.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford on a $75K Salary?
See exactly what house you can afford on a $75,000 salary — comfortable price range, monthly payment, and free calculator.
Read guide30-Year vs 15-Year Mortgage
Side-by-side payment, interest and equity comparisons.
Read guideIs It Better to Rent or Buy?
Rent vs buy — the honest math. When buying wins, when renting wins, and the break-even rule that decides for most people.
Read guideMortgage Payment on a $400K House
What is the monthly mortgage payment on a $400,000 house? See payments at different rates, deposits, and loan terms.
Read guideHow Much Is a $200K Mortgage Per Month?
Monthly payment ranges at common rates, terms, and PITI scenarios.
Read guideAll Guides in This Topic
39 total guides5% vs 20% Down Payment: Which Is Better?
5% vs 20% down payment compared — monthly cost, PMI, total interest, and how long it takes to save the difference.
Read guideBest Way to Save for a House
The accounts, automations, and tradeoffs that get you to a deposit fastest.
Read guideFHA vs Conventional Loan: Which Is Right for You?
Compare FHA and conventional mortgages — down payment, credit requirements, mortgage insurance, and total cost — to choose the right loan.
Read guideFixed vs Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Compare fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages — when each makes sense, the risks, and how to decide.
Read guideHidden Costs of Buying a House
Closing costs, repairs, taxes, insurance, and other costs first-time buyers underestimate — with realistic dollar amounts.
Read guideHow Much Does Property Tax Cost?
How much will you pay in property tax? Average rates by state, how it's calculated, and how to estimate it before you buy.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford by Salary
Affordability targets at $50K, $75K, $100K and beyond.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford on $50k Salary?
What price home you can comfortably afford on a $50,000 salary — with realistic monthly payments, examples, and tips for stretching your budget.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford on a $120K Salary?
How much house can you afford on a $120,000 salary? Realistic price range, payment estimates, and a free affordability calculator.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford on a $60K Salary?
Find out exactly how much house you can afford on a $60,000 salary — with realistic price ranges, monthly payments, and a free affordability calculator.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford on an $80K Salary?
On an $80,000 salary, most buyers can comfortably afford a home priced $240K–$320K. See the math, payments, and down payment scenarios.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford With 20% Down?
With 20% down you skip PMI and get the lowest payment. Most buyers can afford 4–5× their salary. See the math and price targets.
Read guideHow Much House Can I Afford With 5% Down?
With 5% down, most buyers can afford 3–4× their annual income. See the math, PMI cost, and price ranges by salary level.
Read guideHow Much Income Do You Need for a $300k House?
The minimum salary needed to comfortably afford a $300,000 home — with examples for different down payments and interest rates.
Read guideHow Much Income Do You Need for a $400K Mortgage?
What salary do you need to qualify for a $400,000 mortgage? Income requirements, DTI rules, and a free calculator.
Read guideHow Much Income Do You Need for a $500k House?
What salary do you need to afford a $500,000 house? Worked examples by down payment, rate, and the 28/36 rule — plus a free affordability calculator.
Read guideHow Much Income Do You Need for a $750k House?
What salary do you need to afford a $750,000 house? Real numbers by down payment and mortgage rate, plus a free affordability calculator.
Read guideHow Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
Find out how much mortgage you can really afford using the 28/36 rule, DTI math, and realistic payment examples by salary and down payment.
Read guideHow Much Should I Save for a House Deposit?
Realistic deposit targets, timelines, and where to keep the money.
Read guideHow Much Should You Spend on a House?
A clear framework for deciding how much to spend on a house — using the 28% rule, 3x income rule, and real numbers beyond what the bank approves.
Read guideHow Much Will a $250K Mortgage Cost Per Month?
A $250K mortgage costs about $1,580/month P&I at 6.5% over 30 years. Full payment breakdown by rate, term, and income needed.
Read guideHow Much Will a $400K Mortgage Cost Per Month?
A $400K mortgage costs about $2,528/month P&I at 6.5% over 30 years. Full payment breakdown by rate, term, and total cost.
Read guideMortgage Payment on a $300,000 House
Monthly payment on a $300,000 house is roughly $2,000–$2,400 with 10% down at today's rates. Full breakdown by rate and down payment.
Read guideMortgage Payment on a $500K House
Monthly mortgage payment on a $500,000 home — payments by rate, term, and down payment, plus full PITI estimates.
Read guideMortgage Payment on a $750,000 House
Monthly payment on a $750,000 house is roughly $4,800–$5,500 with 20% down at today's rates. Full breakdown by rate and down payment.
Read guideVA Loan vs Conventional Mortgage: Which Is Better?
VA loan vs conventional mortgage compared — rates, down payment, fees, eligibility, and which is better for veterans.
Read guideWhat Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?
Minimum credit score requirements by loan type, the score that gets the best rates, and what to do if your score is too low.
Read guideWhat Happens If Interest Rates Rise?
What rising interest rates mean for mortgages, loans, savings, and house prices — with examples and what to do about it.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
How much house can I afford?
The classic benchmark is the 28/36 rule — housing under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%. For a $7,000/month gross income, that caps housing around $1,960/month. The actual sweet spot is usually 25% of take-home pay, which leaves room to save and invest.
How much down payment do I need?
Conventional loans typically require 3–5% down for first-time buyers, 20% to avoid PMI. FHA loans allow 3.5% with a 580+ credit score. VA loans can go to 0% for qualifying veterans.
Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better?
A 15-year saves a huge amount of interest but the higher payment can crowd out savings and investing. A 30-year offers flexibility — you can pay extra to mimic a 15-year payoff without being locked in.
What credit score do I need for a mortgage?
620 is the minimum for most conventional loans, 580 for FHA. To get the best rates you generally want 740+. Every 20-point bump in credit score can save tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
Should I rent or buy?
Buy if you'll stay 5+ years, have a stable income, and a 3-month emergency fund on top of the down payment. Renting often beats buying in high-cost markets when you factor in maintenance, property tax, and opportunity cost on the down payment.