When deciding your home budget, you need to figure out what you can afford to pay monthly and what you can pay upfront.

Begin With The 28% Rule

The 28/36 rule is about the amount of debt you can have and still get a conforming loan, a “normal” mortgage that the government does not guarantee.

The rule is that you don’t spend over 28% of your monthly gross earnings on housing costs, like your principal, homeowners insurance, interest, property taxes, and homeowners association dues.

You may spend over 28% of your income on housing costs, but this rule is an excellent way to determine the amount you can spend.

The 36% Rule

The second part of the 28/36 rule proposes that you shouldn’t spend over 36% of your income on your liabilities, including your mortgage, child support, and credit cards. A mortgage calculator to figure out the portion of your income that will be used on the price of the house, the down payment, the interest rate, and your loan term.

While some lenders will stick to the 28/36 rule, others will be more flexible, especially if other things about your finances stand out.

Determine Your Down Payment Size

For a down payment, it depends on the sort of mortgage you’re getting. For each sort of loan, certain conditions must be met:

First, determine if you have sufficient money for a down payment to get your preferred type of mortgage.

Then, think about the impact of the down payment on your finances. You’ll have to pay a higher monthly mortgage if you put down less money. If you put down more money, you’ll pay lower monthly payments.

Factor in Closing Costs

You’ll pay more money upfront than just your down payment. Also, you’ll have to pay closing costs and fees for a house. They pay for the application fee, the fee for searching for the title, the fee to start the loan, and more.

Select your mortgage lender wisely, as closing charges can vary widely amongst lenders.

A loan estimate is a comprehensive breakdown of the expenses that constitute your closing costs, and you should get one from each of your top lenders. You’ll be able to see just how much each lender will cost you. Finding a loan with cheap costs and a low rate is ideal.

This article was originally published on Nick Roshdieh’s website.