Interactive Affordability Calculator
We’ll keep your total monthly housing within a guideline (front/back-end DTI). Pick a preset or set your own.
Your Inputs
Tip: Texas buyers often start with Taxes+Insurance around 1.5–2.5%. Try 2.0% as a quick test.
Your Results
How We Calculate It
We cap monthly housing at the lower of your front-end limit (e.g., 28% of gross monthly income) and your back-end limit (e.g., 36% of gross monthly income minus your other debts). Then we solve for a home price that keeps your total monthly (principal+interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA) under that cap.
Home Affordability FAQs
What’s “front-end” vs “back-end” DTI?
Front-end looks at housing costs only (PITI+HOA) as a share of income. Back-end also includes other debts (cards, auto, loans). Lenders usually consider the stricter of the two.
How much should I put down?
Common targets are 20% (to avoid PMI), but 3–5% down programs exist. A higher down payment lowers the loan and monthly payment, potentially raising your max price.
Do taxes and insurance really matter this much?
Yes—property tax and homeowners insurance can be 1–3% of the home price per year. In high-tax areas, this can be the swing factor in what you can afford.
Fixed vs adjustable rate—what’s safer?
Fixed-rate mortgages keep payments predictable. ARMs can start lower but may reset higher later. If you’ll stay long-term and value stability, fixed is usually simpler.