There are no specific income limits for most traditional mortgage loans, such as conventional loans or FHA loans. Lenders typically focus on your income to qualify for a mortgage by looking at factors like your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, credit score, and overall financial stability.
In most cases, conventional loans require a credit score of 580 or higher. Lenders also look for excessive debt or certain negative events on your credit report, such as a bankruptcy or missed payments—which may make it harder for you to qualify for a conventional loan.
An annual income of about $90,000 could allow you to afford a $300,000 mortgage, assuming you don't have other significant debt, such as student loans. But how much house you can afford will depend on multiple factors, including credit history and how much you have saved for a down payment, to name a couple.
To comfortably afford a $200,000 house, you'll likely need an annual income between $50,000 to $65,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage. Remember, just because you can qualify for a loan doesn't mean you should stretch your budget to the maximum.
A person who makes $50,000 a year might be able to afford a house worth anywhere from $180,000 to nearly $258,000. That's because your annual salary isn't the only variable that determines your home buying budget. You also have to consider your credit score, current debts, mortgage rates, and many other factors.
You'll likely need an annual salary of at least $250,000 to finance a $1 million dollar home with a 30-year mortgage, assuming a 20% down payment and low escrow costs. The income required to purchase a million-dollar home varies based on your location, loan amount, mortgage rate and other affordability considerations.
The Bottom Line. On a $70,000 salary using a 50% DTI, you could potentially afford a house worth between $200,000 to $250,000, depending on your specific financial situation.
You can buy a $300,000 house with only $9,000 down when using a conventional mortgage, which is the lowest down payment permitted, unless you qualify for a zero-down-payment VA or USDA loan. Different lenders have different rules, but typically they require a 620 credit score for conventional loan approval.
An annual income of about $76,000 should put you in the position to afford a $250,000 mortgage, assuming you have relatively little other debt. But exactly what amount you'll need to earn will depend on your interest rate, loan term, and debt level, among other factors.
Drawbacks include stricter requirements to qualify, large payments if market rates increase, lack of 5% equity requirement, and additional fees if borrower has a less than excellent credit score.
Reasons your mortgage application may be denied include a dip in your credit score, increased debt, paperwork errors, a low home appraisal and unverified cash deposits.
The new loan limit for most of the country will be $806,500 — a 5.21% increase over the 2024 limit — and is effective for whole loans delivered to Fannie Mae and loans in MBS pools with issue dates on or after Jan. 1, 2025.
A lot of first-time homebuyers think they need a 20% down payment to qualify for a conventional loan. That's simply not true. Conventional loan down payment requirements are as low as 3%. That's only $9,000 down for a $300,000 home, or $6,000 down for a $200,000 home.
You can get a mortgage with no job but a large deposit if it makes financial sense for you. If you have a good credit history, lenders may be willing to look past your unemployment if you have cash reserves that will help you pay for the loan.
With a $45,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $135,000 to $180,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this range can vary significantly based on several factors we'll discuss.
To purchase a $200,000 house, you need a down payment of at least $40,000 (20% of the home price) to avoid PMI on a conventional mortgage. If you're a first-time home buyer, you could save a smaller down payment of $10,000–20,000 (5–10%). But remember, that will drive up your monthly payment with PMI fees.
A good credit score to buy a home is one that helps you secure the best mortgage rate and loan conditions for the mortgage you're applying for. You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase.
With a $65,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $195,000 to $260,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a broad range, and your specific circumstances will determine where you fall within it.
If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.
According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.
If you're in the market for a $1 million home, you're likely wondering how much you need to save for the down payment. Financial advisors often recommend a 20% down payment. Therefore, to purchase a home worth a million dollars, you'd generally need a hefty $200,000 for the down payment.
A loan is considered jumbo if it exceeds the maximum loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loans—currently $766,550 for single-family homes in most parts of the U.S. but up to $1,149,825 in certain more expensive areas.
20% down payment ($160,000) Very good credit score (740-759) 30-year fixed loan at 6.5% Some existing debts (e.g., $500/month in student loans)