
Buyers Want Your Home for as Little as Possible. Are you thinking of selling your home? You should know exactly what it's worth before making such an important decision. Find Out More > View All Offers >
|
Compare three mortgages at one time.
Download TripleCalc now. It's free.
|
|
|
 |
Special Offers From Me To You! Just for you, I've assembled some Special Offers. Choose one or all! 

First Time Buyers >Affording A Home
Are you getting ready to buy your first home? It is important to know how much you can afford before you begin looking at properties. Talking with a lender and getting pre-approved for a loan puts you in a stronger negotiating position with sellers.
As a rule, your monthly housing costs should not exceed 28% of your monthly pre-tax income. These costs include the mortgage payment, real estate taxes, and insurance. If you have long-term debts, such as student loans or car payments, your monthly payments, including your housing costs, should be less than 36% of your pre-tax monthly income. Some loans, such as VA and FHA loans, are more flexible with these basic guidelines.
Depending on which type of mortgage you select, you can consider houses in various price ranges. An adjustable-rate mortgage will usually enable you to qualify for a higher loan amount. Your real estate agent can help you make the basic calculations. Remember that buying at the top end of your price range gives you more time to outgrow your home, and can save you money over the long term.
|
| Q |
What are the financial benefits of having a home near a body of water?
|
| A |
The mere presence of water within 300 feet increases a home's value by 22 percent. |
See More Real Estate Trivia > |
|
|
|
· Easy to use · Set
up your own custom searches · Access property listings/updates as
soon as they are posted · Real-time Alerts sent to your computer
· Track the status of your favorite listings in your own Portfolio
· Track your home's equity |
|
|
|