Your Buying Power

Before you look at your first house, know what you can afford

Experienced homebuyers know that one of the first steps in beginning a successful search for a new house is taking an objective look at their finances. Determining how much money you can dedicate to the purchase of your new house affects almost every aspect of buying a new home, including:

• how we write the offer
• which mortgage programs you will qualify for
• shopping for the best mortgage loan
• which homes are truly in your price range
  

Questions you should ask: How much cash is available for a down payment? The amount you have available for a down payment will affect what types of loans for which you can qualify.  Am I ready to write a check for the earnest money? Earnest money is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. This amount is often forfeited if the buyer decides to withdraw his offer. Click Here to learn more about Earnest Money. How much additional cash will be available to pay for closing costs? There are certain standard costs associated with closing the sale of a house. These fees are split between the buyer and the seller, as spelled out in the sales contract. Click Here to learn more about closing costs. What is the maximum monthly mortgage payment that I can afford? Most lenders will use the 28/36 rule to determine the maximum mortgage payment you can afford. Under this rule, no more than  28% of your gross income can be applied to your mortgage, real estate taxes and insurance. And no more than 36% of your gross income can be applied to your mortgage expenses plus your regular debt expenses (car payments, credit cards, other loans, etc.).