To afford a $500,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $125,000 to $160,000, which translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $10,417 to $13,333, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions.
For example, if you take out a $400,000 30-year mortgage at a 6% interest rate, you'll have a monthly payment of $2,398. However, the same $400,000 30-year mortgage at a 7% interest rate will have a monthly payment of $2,661.
The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in California remained stable at 6.69%. California mortgage rates today are 6 basis points lower than the national average rate of 6.75%. The California mortgage interest rate on January 9, 2025 is up 1 basis point from last week's average California rate of 6.68%.
To afford a $400,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $100,000 to $125,000, which translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $8,333 to $10,417.
Currently, Union Bank of India and UCO Bank offers the lowest home loan interest rate starting from 8.30% p.a., followed by Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra offering home loan at 8.35% p.a. onwards.
How much is the down payment for a $400K house? You'll need a down payment of $12,000, or 3 percent, if you're buying a $400K house with a conventional loan. Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $14,000, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the purchase price.
Though mortgage rates have fallen from their 8% peaks, the decline has been slow and gradual. Over the past 12 months, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has fluctuated between 6.5% and 7.5%. Most housing economists had expected mortgage rates to drop to 6% by the end of 2024, moving into the mid-5% range in 2025.
Following the 28/36 rule, a guideline many mortgage lenders use to gauge how much you can afford, you'd likely need to earn at least $90,000 per year to afford a $350,000 house without spreading yourself too thin. Keep in mind that figure does not include upfront payments, like your down payment and closing costs.
That monthly payment comes to $36,000 annually. Applying the 28/36 rule, which states that you shouldn't spend more than around a third of your income on housing, multiply $36,000 by three and you get $108,000. So to afford a $500K house you'd have to make at least $108,000 per year.
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.
To afford a $700,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $175,000 to $235,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.
The bottom line. A mortgage payment on a $700,000 loan with a 20% down payment for qualified borrowers could cost between $3,517.51 per month and $4,683.35 for principal and interest. And if buyers wait, they could see substantial savings later in the year.
Therefore, the APR on a 30-year, $500,000 loan at 4% plus a half-point is 4.5%.
Current Forecasts and Expert Opinions
The short answer is: It's highly unlikely we'll see mortgage rates drop back to 3% anytime soon.
The lowest average mortgage rates on record came about when the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate in 2020 and 2021 in response to the pandemic. As a result, the weekly average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 2.65%, while the average 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage sunk to 2.10%.
Cons: Higher total interest: With a 30-year mortgage, you'll likely have a higher interest rate compared to a 20-year mortgage. Additionally, you'll be making monthly payments for ten years longer, so you'll pay considerably more interest cumulatively.
To comfortably afford a $600k mortgage, you'll likely need an annual income between $150,000 to $200,000, 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.
As noted above, your estimated monthly payment for a $500K mortgage will be $3,360.16, assuming a 30-year loan term and an interest rate of 7.1%. But this payment could range between $2,600 and $4,900 depending on your term and interest rate.
To afford a $400,000 home, assuming a 20% down payment and a 6.5% interest rate on a 30-year mortgage, you would need a gross monthly income of approximately $7,786.55. This assumes you have $1,000 in monthly debt.
In India, 0 interest loans can be obtained through various channels such as government programs, employer loans, retailer promotions, and credit card promotions offering zero percent interest loans for a specific period.
The current Repo Rate in India, fixed by RBI is 6.50%.