Know the real monthly cost before you fall for the house.
Price, down payment, property taxes, insurance and PMI, rolled into one number you can actually plan a life around. No sign-up required.
- See every piece of your payment, not just principal and interest
- Compare 15, 20 and 30-year terms in one tap
- Know exactly what to gather for pre-approval
Mortgage Calculator
30-yr average was about 7.4% in mid-Oct 2026
- Principal & Interest$1,869.43
- Property Tax$400.00
- Homeowners Insurance$125.00
- PMI$112.50
With less than 20% down, most conventional loans add PMI (estimated here at 0.5% of the loan per year). Put $30,000 more down to drop it.
Three things buyers wish they had known sooner
Buying a home is the biggest purchase most people make. A little clarity up front saves a lot of stress later.
Your payment is more than the loan
Taxes, insurance, HOA dues and PMI can add hundreds a month on top of principal and interest. Budget for the whole thing.
20% down is not a rule
Many buyers put down 3% to 10%. Less down means PMI, but it can get you into a home years sooner.
Pre-approval makes your offer real
Sellers take verified buyers seriously. Get pre-approved before you tour, so you can move fast on the right house.
What you'll need to get pre-approved
Have these ready and pre-approval can move quickly. Your lender may ask for a little more depending on your situation.
Income
Assets
Identity
Debts & History
Questions buyers ask Chris
Straight, friendly answers — no jargon, no pressure.
A common rule of thumb is to keep your total housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA and PMI) at or below about 28% of your gross monthly income, and all monthly debts at or below about 36%. Lenders can approve higher ratios depending on the loan program, but what you are approved for and what feels comfortable are not always the same number. Use the calculator above to find a payment that leaves room for savings and life.
Ready to run the numbers on a real house?
Send Chris a message with your target price range and neighborhood. You'll get honest local insight and active listings — no pressure, just neighborly help.
Talk to Chris about your move
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