Home · Affordability
Calculadora de Accesibilidad de Vivienda
Discover how much home you can comfortably afford based on your income, monthly expenses, debt, down payment, and today's mortgage rates. Make a confident home-buying decision without stretching your budget.
⚠️ For educational use only:
Calculations are estimates based on standard assumptions. Actual approval depends on lender, credit, DTI, LTV, and other factors. This is not an offer of credit.
Your income
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Monthly debts
Los pagos mínimos mensuales de cada deuda.
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Cash available
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Your comfort level
Mortgage assumptions
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🎚️ Tres presupuestos
⭐ Home Buying Readiness Score
📊 Your DTI breakdown
💧 Monthly cash flow
🎢 Down payment comparison
| Down % | Monthly payment | Loan | PMI | Total interest | Cash to close |
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📈 Rate sensitivity
| Rate | Monthly payment | Recommended price | Vs current |
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🚀 Boost your buying power
🏘️ True monthly cost of ownership
📈 Long-term wealth impact
📅 Home buying timeline
🎓 Coach Futuro — smart recommendations
Cómo funciona esta calculadora Transparent
Estimación con la regla 28/36, ajustada por tu nivel de comodidad (22-36% DTI) y todas las variables reales de vivienda.
It also delivers:
- 3 presupuestos: Conservador / Cómodo / Máximo.
- Puntaje de preparación con 6 factores.
- Comparación de enganches y tasas.
- Boosters de poder adquisitivo.
- Costo real de ser dueño.
- Impacto patrimonial.
Todo corre en tu navegador — nada se envía a servidores.
Supuestos y limitaciones Educational
- DTI usa ingresos brutos.
- Reglas heurísticas — la aprobación real varía.
- Bono usado al 100%.
- Puntaje = heurística educativa.
- No resta impuestos personales.
- No es asesoría profesional.
Metodología y fuentes Cited
Fórmula de amortización + bisección + regla 28/36.
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Financial Resources
Explora los recursos financieros de Wells Fargo
When you're ready to take the next step, explore Wells Fargo's financial solutions — including banking, mortgages, credit, and retirement resources — to help support your financial goals.
Explore Wells Fargo Resources →Buy a Home You Can Comfortably Afford
Los prestamistas usan la guía 28/36 — hasta 28% del ingreso bruto para vivienda y 36% para toda tu deuda mensual combinada.
Son lineamientos, no metas — apuntar a 25/33 en lugar de 43-50% te deja espacio para ahorrar, invertir y disfrutar la vida.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is a home affordability calculator?
A home affordability calculator estimates how much home you can comfortably afford based on your income, existing debts, down payment, mortgage rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, and other housing costs. Unlike simple calculators that only estimate a loan amount, it helps you understand the monthly payment required to stay within a healthy budget.
2. How do lenders determine how much I can borrow?
Most lenders evaluate your income, credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, employment history, down payment, and available assets. They use these factors to determine the maximum loan amount you're likely to qualify for, although that amount isn't always what you should borrow.
3. What's the difference between qualifying for a home and being able to afford it?
Qualifying means a lender is willing to approve your mortgage based on its underwriting guidelines. Affording a home means you can comfortably make the monthly payments while still saving for retirement, maintaining an emergency fund, and covering other financial goals. The affordable amount is often lower than the maximum amount you qualify for.
4. What is the 28/36 debt-to-income rule?
The traditional guideline suggests spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA, PMI) and 36% of your gross monthly income on all monthly debt combined. Some lenders allow higher ratios, but lower debt levels generally provide greater financial flexibility.
5. What expenses should I include when buying a home?
Your total monthly housing cost should include principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI (if applicable), flood or earthquake insurance (if required), routine maintenance and repairs, and utilities. Many first-time buyers underestimate these additional ownership costs.
6. How much should I save for a down payment?
While 20% eliminates PMI on many conventional loans, many buyers purchase homes with 3% to 10% down depending on the loan program. A larger down payment generally lowers your monthly payment, reduces interest costs, and may help you qualify for better loan terms.
7. How does my credit score affect home affordability?
Your credit score directly impacts the mortgage interest rate lenders offer. A higher score can reduce your monthly payment and save tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of a mortgage.
8. Should I buy the most expensive home I qualify for?
Not necessarily. Buying below your maximum qualification can reduce financial stress and leave more money available for savings, investing, travel, education, emergencies, and retirement. Many financial professionals recommend purchasing a home that fits comfortably within your long-term financial plan rather than stretching to the highest loan amount available.
9. How much income do I need to buy a home?
There is no universal income requirement. The amount depends on home price, down payment, interest rate, existing debts, property taxes, insurance costs, credit score, and loan program. Two households earning the same income may qualify for very different mortgage amounts depending on these factors.
10. Does this calculator estimate what I can be approved for?
This calculator provides an estimate based on common lending guidelines and your financial information. Actual loan approval depends on a lender's underwriting standards, documentation, credit review, and the specific mortgage program you choose.
11. What debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is considered good?
Most lenders prefer a DTI below 36%, although many loan programs allow higher ratios. Keeping your DTI lower can improve your chances of approval, qualify you for better interest rates, and leave more room in your monthly budget for saving and investing.
12. How does the interest rate affect affordability?
Even a small change in mortgage rates can significantly impact your monthly payment and the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Lower rates increase your buying power, while higher rates reduce the amount you can comfortably afford.
13. Should I wait for lower mortgage rates before buying?
Not necessarily. Waiting may help if rates fall, but home prices could continue to rise during that time. The better question is whether the monthly payment fits comfortably within your budget. If you can afford the payment today, refinancing later may be an option if interest rates decline.
14. How much should I budget for home maintenance?
A common guideline is to save 1% to 2% of your home's value each year for maintenance and unexpected repairs. Older homes or properties in harsher climates may require a larger maintenance budget.
15. What is PMI, and when do I have to pay it?
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is typically required on conventional loans when your down payment is less than 20%. PMI protects the lender—not the borrower—and increases your monthly payment. Once you build enough equity, you may be able to remove it.
16. How much emergency savings should I have before buying a home?
Many financial planners recommend maintaining three to six months of essential living expenses in an emergency fund after paying your down payment and closing costs. Homeownership often brings unexpected expenses, making cash reserves especially important.
17. Should I use all my savings for the down payment?
Usually not. While a larger down payment reduces your loan balance and monthly payment, depleting your emergency savings can leave you financially vulnerable. It's generally better to keep enough cash available for unexpected repairs, medical expenses, or temporary income loss.
18. Can I afford a home if I still have student loans or car payments?
Yes. Existing debts are factored into your debt-to-income ratio, so they reduce the amount you may qualify to borrow. Paying down high-interest debt before buying a home may improve both your affordability and your financial flexibility.
19. Should I choose a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
A 15-year mortgage typically offers lower interest rates and allows you to build equity faster while paying significantly less interest. A 30-year mortgage provides lower monthly payments and greater flexibility in your budget. The right choice depends on your income, cash flow, and long-term financial goals.
20. How accurate is this home affordability calculator?
This calculator provides an estimate using the financial information you enter and commonly accepted lending assumptions. Actual affordability and loan approval depend on factors such as your credit profile, lender requirements, loan program, local taxes, insurance costs, and current market conditions. It's best used as a planning tool before speaking with a mortgage professional.
21. How much house can I afford with a $100,000 salary?
It depends on your existing debts, down payment, mortgage interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, and loan term. Two households with the same income may qualify for very different home prices depending on these factors. This calculator provides a personalized estimate based on your financial situation.
22. Does a larger down payment always make sense?
Not always. A larger down payment reduces your monthly payment and total interest costs, but using all of your savings for a down payment can leave you without adequate emergency reserves. The goal is to balance lower borrowing costs with maintaining financial security.
23. Should I buy now or continue renting?
The answer depends on several factors, including how long you plan to stay in the home, local housing prices, mortgage rates, rent costs, maintenance expenses, and your financial stability. Buying can help build equity over time, while renting may provide greater flexibility and lower upfront costs.
24. What closing costs should I expect?
Closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price and may include loan origination fees, appraisal fees, title insurance, escrow fees, recording fees, attorney fees (where applicable), and prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance. These costs are separate from your down payment and should be included in your home-buying budget.
25. Should I pay off debt before buying a home?
It depends on the type of debt. Paying down high-interest credit card balances can improve your credit score and lower your debt-to-income ratio, potentially helping you qualify for better mortgage terms. Low-interest debt, such as certain student loans, may not need to be paid off before purchasing a home.
26. How much home equity should I build before refinancing or selling?
Many lenders prefer homeowners to have at least 20% equity before refinancing without private mortgage insurance (PMI). If you're selling, additional equity also helps cover closing costs, agent commissions, and moving expenses while maximizing your proceeds.
27. What happens if home prices decline after I buy?
Short-term price fluctuations are normal in real estate markets. If you purchased a home you can comfortably afford and plan to stay for several years, temporary market declines are generally less important than your long-term financial stability and ability to make your mortgage payments.
28. Can I afford a second home or investment property?
Owning multiple properties requires evaluating your total debt obligations, available cash reserves, expected rental income (if applicable), maintenance costs, taxes, and long-term financial goals. Investment property loans often require larger down payments and stricter qualification standards than primary residences.
29. Should I choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)?
A fixed-rate mortgage offers stable monthly payments and predictable long-term costs, making it the preferred option for many homeowners. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) may offer a lower initial interest rate, but future payments can increase if interest rates rise. The right choice depends on how long you expect to own the home and your tolerance for payment changes.
30. How can I improve my home affordability before buying?
You can increase your buying power by saving a larger down payment, improving your credit score, paying down existing debt, increasing your household income, shopping for competitive mortgage rates, reducing discretionary expenses before applying, and waiting until you have stronger financial reserves. Even small improvements in these areas can significantly increase the amount you can comfortably afford while lowering your long-term borrowing costs.