How much you can afford on your next home purchase?

by Michael Pellegrini 10/08/2023

How much you can afford on your next home purchase featured image

As a homebuyer, there’s often pressure out how much budget to work with to purchase your ideal property. Figuring out how much to spend on a home isn’t just a matter of numbers--it also depends on your lifestyle and long-term goals.  



Mortgage as a percent of your income

Purchasing a home is dependent on numerous factors, including your income, credit score, and the type of lifestyle you’d like to maintain.

One of the best ways to determine how much house you can afford to buy is to figure out what percentage of your monthly income will be going towards your mortgage.

For most homeowners, a mortgage payment taking up no more than 25% of their income is ideal, as it provides wiggle room for other financial investments and responsibilities. So, if you earn $6,000 per month, you may not want your monthly mortgage payment to exceed $1,500.



Plan for homeowner expenses

Before finalizing a home purchase, it’s best to consider future maintenance your property may need. This may include updating the flooring in the kitchen or perhaps repairing an older roof, all of which can become expensive quickly. 

Also consider monthly utility bills such as water, electricity, your internet bill and more when budgeting out for how much home you can afford. 



Create a comprehensive budget

The goal of a great budget is to know where each dollar of your income goes, and to have a plan for each cent that you make. 

Within your budget, it’s essential to account for things such as home and medical emergencies, retirement, savings for vacations and so on.

If you take due diligence, not only will you have a better idea of where your money goes, but you’ll also be confident in knowing exactly how much you can spend on your next home purchase.

About the Author
Author

Michael Pellegrini

As a Real Estate Professional my number one goal is to provide exceptional service that leaves my clients happily satisfied. I do this with my commitment to helping you buy or sell your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This also means helping you understand each step of the buying or selling process. I do not sell houses, I simply guide my clients through a predetermined series of events to ensure a smooth stress free Real Estate experience. You can count on me to always do what's in your best interest, as I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the Real Estate market. I understand how important it is to get the best offer for your property, therefore I make it my responsibility to help you achieve these goals. Whether you are buying or selling your primary residence, a second home, investor property, a first time buyer, or just relocating to a new neighborhood, I can help make your home-ownership dreams come true. (First Time Buyer Specialist) (Certified Probate & Trust Specialist)

"A Trusted Name in Sonoma County Real Estate."