Choosing a Mortgage Your Budget Can Afford


by Louie Latour - Date: 2006-12-05 - Word Count: 275 Share This!

If you are a potential homeowner in the market for a mortgage, knowing how much you can afford will keep you out of financial hot water. Planning your home purchase will help you avoid being turned down when applying for a mortgage loan. Here are several tips to help you determine exactly how much mortgage you can afford.

Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Mortgage companies use your debt-to-income ratio to determine how much you can afford. This ratio expresses your monthly income and your debts as a percentage. Mortgage lenders typically do not want your mortgage payment to be greater than 33% of your monthly income amount. When your other bills are factored into the equation your total monthly obligation should not be greater than 38% of your monthly income.

How to Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

When calculating your debt-to-income ratio it is important to only use income you can document. This means you need pay stubs and w-2s to document your income. The simplest way to calculate your debt to income ratio is by taking the amount on your w-2 form and divide by twelve. Multiply this amount by .38 and you will have the maximum amount your mortgage payments and bills can be.

Using a Mortgage Calculator to Determine Your Payment

You can calculate what your mortgage payment will be based on the interest rate and purchase price of your home using a simple mortgage calculator. Once you determine how much of a mortgage payment you can afford you can easily determine if a home is in your price range. You can learn more about your mortgage options, including costly mistakes to avoid by registering for a free mortgage tutorial.


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Louie Latour specializes in showing homeowners how to avoid costly mortgage mistakes and predatory lenders. For a free copy of "Mortgage Refinancing - What You Need to Know," which teaches strategies to find the best mortgage and save thousands of dollars in the process, visit Refiadvisor.com.

Claim your free mortgage refinance information guide today at: http://www.refiadvisor.com

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