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How Much Can You Afford? California

Shopping for a home but not sure how much you can spend? Here's how to figure out your price range.

Local Companies

Mission Hills Mortgage Bankers
(559) 228-6678
1312 E. Shaw Ave #101
Fresno, CA

Empire Home Loan
916-783-8080
151 N Sunrise Ave
Sacramento, CA

Countrywide Home Loans
(661) 397-2535
5101 Ming Ave
Bakersfield, CA

First Alliance Mortgage
(619) 426-2725
660 Bay Blvd
Chula Vista, CA

Nohemia Mortgage Relief and Co
(619) 781-8178
629 3rd Ave
Chula Vista, CA

Community Financial
800-785-4952
1099 E. Champlain Ave. Suite A#276
Fresno, CA

The Mortgage Mentors
(916) 526-2896
2377 Gold Meadow Way
Gold River, CA

California Mortgage Loan
800-785-4952
155 E. Shaw Ave. Suite 303
Fresno, CA

Ricoh Business Systems
707-628-5213
1001 Galaxy Way, Ste. 102
Concord, CA

U.S. Mortgage Center
559-222-3100
1241 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA

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Qualification ratios are set by the lender that state your housing expense to income, and housing expense plus other debts to income, cannot exceed a specified number. Many lenders use a 28% housing expense to income and a 36% housing expense plus debts to income. Other ratios may be how much you put down on a home. It is important to remember that these ratios may vary from lender to lender and each application is handled on an individual basis.

Housing Expenses

Your montly housing costs include the mortgage principle, interest, taxes and insurance often abreviated PITI.

Generally speaking, to qualify for conventional loans, housing expenses should not exceed 26% to 28% of your gross monthly income.
For FHA loans, the ratio is 29% of gross monthly income.

Example

Annual Income		Gross Monthly Income	Maximum Conventional Loan Housing Expense	Monthly Housing Payments
$30,000	÷12	$2,500	X28%	$700

Long-Term Debt

Any expenses that extend 11 months or more into the future, such as car loans, are termed long-term debt.

For conventional loans, total monthly costs, including PITI and all other long-term debt, should equal no greater than 33% to 36% of your gross monthly income.
For FHA the ratio is 41%.

Budgeting for Your Home

When budgeting to buy a home, it is important to allow enough money for additional expenses such as:

maintenance
utilities
homeowner’s insurance
property insurance

Published on January 25, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

Mission Hills Mortgage Bankers

(559) 228-6678
1312 E. Shaw Ave #101
Fresno, CA

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