How much house can I actually afford?
Lenders start with the 28/36 rule: housing costs under about 28% of your gross income, and all debts — including the future mortgage — under about 36%. This calculator runs that math on your real income, debts, and down payment to give you an honest price range in seconds. It's a starting point, not a verdict: many loan programs approve well beyond these ratios, which is exactly the conversation to have with a lender.
What can I afford?
Uses the classic 28/36 rule lenders start from: housing under 28% of gross income, all debts under 36%.
Estimated max home price
Assumes ~22% of your housing budget goes to taxes and insurance. A pre-approval will sharpen this into a real number.
Educational estimate, not a loan offer or financial advice. Rates, taxes, and program rules vary — a licensed professional can turn these ranges into real numbers for your situation.
Want a human to look at your numbers? BuyerMath is built by Gavin Guthrie of The Mortgage Collective — a free 15-minute "where do I stand?" call costs nothing and isn't a test you can fail.
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