Mortgage affordability calculator: gross income, debts, down payment, and rate → max home price, loan amount, and front/back-end DTI. Free, private.
How it works
Lenders cap how much of your gross income can go to housing (front-end DTI) and to all debt payments combined (back-end DTI). The lower of those two limits sets your max payment—not the headline pre-approval number alone. Example: $8,500/month income, 28% front-end → $2,380 max housing; with $450 in other debts and a 36% back-end cap, housing is still limited to ~$2,380. At 6.75% over 30 years plus $60,000 down, that supports a home price in the mid-$300k range.
Frequently asked questions
What is front-end vs back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI is housing costs (P&I, taxes, insurance, HOA) divided by gross monthly income. Back-end DTI adds car loans, credit cards, student debt, and other minimum payments. Many conventional guidelines use 28% front and 36% back, but FHA and other programs allow higher ratios.
Does this include property taxes and insurance?
This model focuses on principal and interest from your rate and term. Real lenders often use PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) in the front-end ratio—add those costs mentally or reduce the DTI limits if your market has high taxes.
Why is my max price lower than online "pre-approval" calculators?
Marketing calculators sometimes assume higher DTI limits, ignore existing debt, or use teaser rates. This tool applies the limits you set and amortizes at your stated APR—adjust front/back-end percentages to match your lender's actual guidelines.