How much can you afford?
Deciding how much house you can afford is a personal decision. Many factors come into play. How much can I borrow? How much can I put toward my down payment? What size monthly payment am I comfortable with?

There are no black and white answers to these questions. Its a matter of give and take. If you plan on a 30 year mortgage, you can probably make a lower down payment (or perhaps no down payment at all) and still manage the monthly payments. If, on the other hand, you plan on a 15 year mortgage, youll probably want to make a larger down payment to keep your monthly payments in line with what you can afford.

How large a down payment can I make?
Many buyers look at their cash on hand as their only source for their down payment. This simply is not the case. One way to fund or partially fund a down payment is by using gift funds. Parents, grandparents and other family members are often eager to help by making a cash gift toward the purchase of your home.

There are also down payment assistance charities that can help you. And, of course, if you are selling a home, the equity you’ve built up can be applied to your down payment.

But these are not your only options. We can help you explore all your down payment options, including low down payment and 100% mortgage financing options that might be right for you.

What monthly payment can I afford?
When determining what size monthly payment you can afford, you’ll want to consider what other monthly expenses you have. Expenses such as credit card bills, car payments, day care and utility bills, all play a role in how large a monthly payment you can afford and what payment you are comfortable with.

There are also the intangible expenses or lifestyle expenses that you’ll want to consider. Things such as dining out, travel and when you buy your next car can effect how much you can afford. Are you willing to curtail or delay some of these expenses in order to afford a larger monthly payment?

How much can I borrow?
This is a question you’ll want to get answered before you begin your home search and we’re here to help you answer it. Our mortgage calculators will help you see how your down payment, monthly payment and the amount you borrow are all interrelated. Even better, a conversation with a mortgage professional will clarifiy all of this further for you to get you on your way.

We can answer any questions you may have about the mortgage process. But the best way we can help is by getting you pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. To get started, simply click the “Apply Now” button above and fill in basic information including the best time to reach you. We look forward to helping you purchase your new dream home.