Our Affordability Calculator Helps You Estimate How Large Of A Mortgage You Could Afford And Your Potential Payments
These calculations are approximate and for information purposes only and are dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. The calculator is made available to you as a tool for independent use and is only intended to be used as a guide.
The qualifying rate used in this calculator is approximate. The actual loan amount you qualify for may be different, subject to your credit score and other factors. The calculator assumes a credit score of 680.
This calculation assumes that interest rates are held constant for the entire amortization period and that the interest rate is compounded semi-annually, not in advance.
The loan amount will be confirmed upon approval of the mortgage application. These calculations do not constitute, nor should they be relied upon, as financial or other advice. Please speak to a mortgage advisor.
Amortization can only be entered in full years . The loan amount is rounded to the nearest dollar. If your purchase price is greater than or equal to $1 million, it is not eligible for mortgage default insurance and a minimum down payment of 20% is required.
Rates are subject to change without notice at any time. Offer may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.
What Does A Mortgage Broker Do
A mortgage broker aims to complete real estate transactions as a third-party intermediary between a borrower and a lender. The broker will collect information from the individual and go to multiple lenders in order to find the best potential loan for their client. Finally, the broker serves as the loan officer they collect the necessary information and work with both parties to get the loan closed.
Shop Around For The Best Mortgage Offer
One of the best tips for choosing the right mortgage is to shop around and compare options. Be sure to look at things like APR . This is the summary of the total cost of borrowing and includes the mortgage broker fees, points, interest rate, and any other costs of getting the loan. Sites like Credible allow you to quickly compare a variety of mortgage rates and offers from multiple lenders in minutes.
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What Is A Mortgage Preapproval
When youre shopping for a mortgage, you can compare options offered by different lenders.
Mortgage lenders have a process which may allow you to:
- know the maximum amount of a mortgage you could qualify for
- estimate your mortgage payments
- lock in an interest rate for 60 to 130 days, depending on the lender
The mortgage preapproval process may be divided in various steps. It may also be called mortgage prequalification or mortgage preauthorization. Different lenders have different definitions and criteria for each step they offer.
During this process, the lender looks at your finances to find out the maximum amount they may lend you and at what interest rate. They ask for your personal information, various documents and they likely run a credit check.
This process does not guarantee your approval for a mortgage.
Get Your Paperwork Together
Your finances are in good shape and you know how much you can borrow. Now here comes the real work.
Lenders require quite a bit of documentation as part of the mortgage approval process, so its a good idea to gather everything up before youre ready to apply. Heres what youll need:
Income verification. First, youll need to prove you have the income to support your mortgage payment. Lenders will likely want to see tax returns for the last two years, as well as recent W-2 forms or pay stubs. If youre self-employed, youll need to verify your income with 1099s or profit and loss statements from the past couple of years instead.
If you receive income from alimony or child support, youll also be expected to provide court orders, bank statements and legal documentation that shows youll continue receiving that income.
Proof of assets. In addition to income, additional assets can help you secure a mortgage. Expect to provide bank statements for checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts and other brokerage accounts from the past 60 days.
List of liabilities. Lenders may also ask you to provide documentation related to outstanding debts, such as credit card balances, student loans or any existing home loans.
Additional paperwork. Depending on the lender, you may have to come up with some additional documentation. For example, if you currently rent, the lender might want to see canceled rent checks or a letter from your lender as proof that you pay on time.
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Get Preapproved For A Mortgage
Obtaining a mortgage preapproval with three or four different lenders is really the only way to get accurate loan pricing, because with a preapproval, lenders do a thorough review of your credit and finances.
Lenders can have different documentation requirements for preapproval. Generally, youll need to provide:
- Drivers license or other government photo ID
- Social Security numbers for all borrowers
- Residential address history, as well as names and contact information for landlords in the past two years
- Pay stubs from the past 30 days.
- Two years of federal tax returns, 1099s and W-2s
- Printouts of bank statements for all accounts for the past 60 days
- List of all financial accounts and other retirement savings plans)
- List of all revolving and fixed debt payments, including credit cards, personal and auto loans, student loans, alimony or child support
- Employment and income history, along with contact information for your current employer
- Down payment information, including the amount, source of the funds and gift letters if youre receiving help from a relative or friend
- Information on any recent liens or legal judgments against you or other borrowers, such as IRS actions, bankruptcy, collections accounts or lawsuits
Ishbia says borrowers should hold tight after preapproval and avoid opening new lines of credit, moving around money in your bank accounts and changing jobs before and during the mortgage process.
Pros Of Using A Bank To Finance A Mortgage
- Established relationship if you are using your bank.
- Sometimes can offer a better rate, especially if they are trying to fill out a portfolio.
- Easier to link accounts for automatic payments.
- Local point of contact.
Cons Of Using A Bank
- Limited loan programs
A bank is certainly a good place to start if you have a very vanilla loan. What is a vanilla loan? Good credit score, 20% to put down and good debt to income ratio.
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Do I Need An Escrow Account
An escrow account is a type of neutral savings account that holds money for prepaid property taxes and insurance premiums. Escrow accounts, which are usually established during closing, are often required for government-backed loans and optional for conventional loans.
Ask your lender if you need an escrow account. If youre required to have one, ask what options you have for paying for shortages and whether you can get a refund if you overpay. Make sure you also find out how much money youll need to hold in escrow.
Summary: You Could Be In A New Home Sooner Than You Think
Most buyers can expect to spend around 6 months purchasing a home. It will usually take about a week to get your mortgage preapproval after you apply, and youll spend around 3 months looking at properties. It may take you between 12 months to negotiate an offer with the seller depending on your local real estate market. From there, it will take around a month for your lender to finalize your loan and another week to schedule a closing meeting.
Remember, buying a home is a personal process that differs for everyone. Some people spend less than 6 months buying a home and others spend much more going through these steps. Dont rush yourself to fit into the 6-month timeline if you know you need more time to make a commitment.
And when youre ready to buy a home, talk to a Home Loan Expert to get started.
Get approved to buy a home.
Rocket Mortgage® lets you get to house hunting sooner.
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Should I Choose A Standard Variable Rate Mortgage
You should never choose a standard variable rate mortgage. They are the worst value mortgages on the market because they give lenders the total freedom to charge however much they want to.
Most people will end up on a standard variable rate mortgage because their existing mortgage deal has run out. Lenders rely on the inertia of homeowners to keep them on this type of mortgage once they have ended up on it.
You should consider remortgaging if youre on a SVR because theres a high likelihood that you could save yourself some money.
To Get The Best Rate And Terms For Your Loan Try To Put Down At Least 20 Percent Of The Purchase Price
Although a lower down payment wont necessarily disqualify you, there is a chance that a monthly private mortgage insurance payment will be added if your down payment is less than 20 percent. Your down payment will affect other variables as well, such as your interest rate, terms and monthly payments. Ask your lender for more information about the minimum down payment required for your loan and if you might be eligible for any down payment or cost-saving assistance programs, and decide whats right for you.
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Home Loans And Your Financial Plan
- While financial advisors cant directly help you get a mortgage, they can ensure that your financial plan isnt overly impacted by the introduction of monthly loan payments. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors in your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- If you eventually want to retire, its imperative that you dont overspend when you buy a home. Doing so could cripple your finances for years, making it very hard to accrue any significant amount of retirement savings. To ensure you stay within your financial bounds, use SmartAssets home affordability calculator.
How To Compare Mortgage Rates
At face value, comparing mortgage rates is easy.
You can apply for preapproval with 3 or more lenders and simply compare the rates youre offered. But remember your interest rate isnt the only thing that matters. You also need to look at factors like closing costs, origination fees, annual percentage rate , and discount points.
Luckily, its easy to compare mortgage quotes and find the best deal.
All mortgage offers come in the same format, called a Loan Estimate, so you can quickly skim for rates, fees, and other important information to find the best offer.
How to read your Loan Estimates
You will find your loan terms, quoted interest rate, and monthly payment on the first page of your Loan Estimate.
Along with comparing interest rates, you can use this page to:
- Make sure all your loan offers are for the same loan type
- Make sure theyre all quoting the same type of rate
- Compare monthly mortgage payments to see which loan is cheaper month to month
On the second page, you will see your closing costs and other upfront expenses, like prepaid taxes and homeowners insurance.
Note that loan costs are separated into two categories: Origination Charges, and Services You Cannot Shop For.
Origination charges represent the lenders own fees. Youll want to pay close attention to this section when shopping for a mortgage because these fees can vary a lot from one lender to the next. Shopping for a lower fee could save you serious cash at the closing table.
Images: CFPB
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Help To Buy Mortgages
Help to Buy is a government scheme that can help you get a mortgage with a small deposit. They offer equity loans, which lend you money you can use towards your deposit and repay later. They are interest free for five years and can cover 20% of the purchase price . You will need to save a 5% deposit yourself. You can find out more about the scheme or compare Help to Buy mortgages to find the right deal.
What To Provide To Your Lender Or Mortgage Broker
Before preapproving you, a lender or mortgage broker will look at:
- your assets
- your income
Youll need to provide the following:
- identification
- proof you can pay for the down payment and closing costs
- information about your other assets, such as a car, cottage or boat
- information about your debts or financial obligations
For proof of employment, you may have to provide:
- a proof of your current salary or hourly pay rate (for example, a recent pay stub
- your position and length of time with the employer
- notices of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the past 2 years, if youre self-employed
Your lender or mortgage broker may ask you to provide recent financial statements from bank accounts or investments. This will help them determine if you have the down payment.
Your debts or financial obligations may include your monthly payments for:
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Know Your Mortgage Options
A key aspect of finding the best mortgage lender is being able to speak their language, including knowing the different types of mortgages. Some upfront research can also help you separate mortgage facts from fiction.
Traditionally, when it comes to getting a mortgage, a lot of peoples first thoughts are to go to a bank or that they need a 20 percent down payment to afford a home, says Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage. Thats an outdated way of thinking.
Many lenders offer conventional loans with as little as 3 percent down, and some government-insured loans require no down payment or just 3.5 percent down. Consider FHA loans and USDA loans, and if youre a veteran, look into VA loans.
Keep in mind that if you put down less than 20 percent, many lenders will charge you a higher interest rate and require mortgage insurance.
Buy Low And Sell High
Investing by using borrowed funds as through a mortgage can boost potential gains. For instance, if you purchased a $1.25 million home with a $250,000 down payment, and five years later the property is worth $1.5 million, you’d be looking at a $250,000 gain, less interest and other fees. Of course, the leverage offered by a home mortgage is most effective when prices are expected to go up.
This being the case, it should be noted that the U.S. housing market does seem very attractive compared to other investments over long periods of time. In an economy that we believe will continue to see moderate growth and relatively low inflation and interest rates, a home is an appealing asset.
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What Documentation Will I Need
Heres what youll need to have ready before you can apply for a Spanish mortgage:
- Your Número de Identificación de Extranjeros – you cant purchase property in Spain or get a mortgage without this
- Proof of income or employment
- A pre-agreement with the seller of the property you intend to buy
- Evidence that property tax is paid up to date
- Copies of all your existing property deed
- Records of your current assets, debts and mortgages.
- A credit rating from your home country² – if youre a UK citizen, you can usually get this from Equifax, Experian or another of the main credit reference agencies.
A key thing to remember is that the bank may require your documents to be translated into Spanish². The translations must be carried out officially, and something called an Apostille attached to verify that the document and its translation is legitimate.
Once youve provided the required documents and information, your application will be processed and the bank will make you a mortgage offer.
Apply For A Mortgage Pre
Most Canadians think the first step in the home-buying process is to contact a realtor and start looking at homes. This isnât correct. The first thing you should do is apply for a mortgage pre-approval. After all, if you find a home you like, youâll want to move quickly. Being pre-approved for a mortgage removes an extra step in the process.
Being pre-approved also helps you know how much you can afford to spend. You can get a good estimate of how much you can afford with our mortgage affordability calculator. However, the hard limit will always be how much the bank will approve you for â a mortgage pre-approval gives you that.
How long does it take to get a mortgage pre-approval? It can be done within an hour if you have your documentation together. Get in touch with a mortgage broker near you to get started.
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Think About Your Down Payment
An ideal down payment in the eyes of a lender is 20% of the homes purchase price. By putting down 20%, you dont have to pay private mortgage insurance , which is usually between 0.5% and 1% of the loan. It can also make you a more attractive borrower.
But depending on the price of the home, 20% could be out of reach. In fact, most first-time home buyers put down less than 10%. FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5%. And some Veterans Affairs mortgages allow for no down payment.
