Use our interactive tools to estimate payments, affordability, and savings.
Simulate how financial actions affect your credit score and get mortgage-ready.
Calculate your Debt-To-Income Ratio and see if you qualify for a mortgage.
See how your down payment affects your monthly payment and PMI costs.
Generate a personalized list of documents needed for your loan application.
Estimate property tax rates and find exemptions by Zip Code.
Estimate your total closing costs based on location and purchase price.
Check your mortgage pre-approval readiness with this interactive quiz.
Estimate your monthly mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
Determine how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment.
Compare the financial impact of renting versus buying a home over time.
Calculate your potential monthly savings and break-even point for refinancing.
Aim for <10% utilization for the best rates. High balances signal risk.
Credit history length matters. Closing old accounts shortens your history.
Don't apply for new credit within 6 months of a mortgage application.
Dispute inaccuracies on your report. It's the fastest way to boost a score.
Payment history is 35% of your score. Set up autopay to never miss a date.
Piggyback on a family member's good credit history to boost yours.
*Principal & Interest only. Taxes and insurance not included.
Your monthly payment includes more than just the loan. It often includes Escrow for property taxes and homeowners insurance, which can add significantly to your total.
In the early years of your loan, most of your payment goes toward Interest. As you pay down the balance, more goes toward the Principal (the actual loan amount).
*Estimated based on standard DTI ratios.
Lenders look at your DTI ratio to determine affordability. Keeping your monthly debts low can significantly increase your purchasing power.
A larger down payment reduces your loan amount and monthly payment. It can also help you avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
When you rent, you pay your landlord's mortgage. When you buy, you pay your own, building equity that becomes wealth over time.
Homeowners can often deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from their federal income tax, potentially saving thousands each year.
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Refinancing costs money. Your "break-even point" is when your monthly savings have paid for the closing costs. If you plan to stay longer than that, it's a win!
Just like buying a home, refinancing involves closing costs (appraisal, title, etc.). These can often be rolled into the new loan so you don't pay out of pocket.
Total Debt-To-Income Ratio
Tip: Lenders typically prefer a total Debt-To-Income Ratio under 43%. Paying off small debts or increasing income can help lower this ratio.
Ideally, your housing costs shouldn't exceed 36% of your gross income, and your total debt shouldn't exceed 43%. These are standard benchmarks for Conventional loans.
Front-End: Just your housing payment
(PITI).
Back-End: Housing + all other monthly debt
payments. Lenders focus heavily on the Back-End ratio.
Pay off smaller debts to eliminate monthly payments, refinance high-interest loans, or increase your income (e.g., co-borrower).
High credit scores or significant cash reserves can sometimes help you qualify even with a higher DTI ratio.
Affects estimated PMI rate.
| Down % | Down $ | Est. PMI | Total Mo. | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Click Calculate to see scenarios | ||||
Note: "Savings" compares the monthly payment against the 3% down option. Reaching 20% down eliminates PMI entirely.
Putting less than 20% down usually requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). However, it allows you to buy sooner instead of waiting years to save.
Select your options and click Generate.
*Data is estimated based on county averages.
Enter a Zip Code to view tax details.
Enter details to see cost breakdown.
Fees: One-time costs for
services (appraisal, title).
Prepaids: Upfront payments for
future bills (property taxes, homeowners insurance).
Buyers usually pay most closing costs, but sellers may pay for the owner's title policy and real estate agent commissions. You can also negotiate for seller concessions.
Yes! You can shop around for lenders to lower origination fees, and in some states, you can shop for title insurance services.
You can ask the seller to pay for some of your closing costs. This is called a "seller concession" and can significantly reduce the cash you need to close.
Answer the questions to see your
Pre-Approval Readiness
Score.
Your credit score is a major factor in your interest rate. Even a small improvement can save you thousands over the life of your loan.