For a $300K house, you'll want to save around 20% ($60K) to avoid PMI, but FHA loans only need 3.5% down (about $10.5K), though you'd pay PMI. Some conventional loans even let you put down 3% (around $9K).
Average closing costs for the buyer run between about 2% and 6% of the loan amount. That means, on a $300,000 home loan, you would pay from $6,000 to $18,000 in closing costs in addition to the down payment. The most cost-effective way to cover the costs is to pay them out-of-pocket as a one-time expense.
Government Assistance
For example, California has the CalHFA program available to qualified low-income buyers. The program provides grants and loans to eligible borrowers, and the money can either directly subsidize part of a down payment, or cover the entire thing, depending on certain factors.
Closing costs for buyers typically run between 2% and 5% of the total home purchase price. One-time closing costs include origination, appraisal, notary, and recording fees. Property taxes, homeowners' insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums are prepaid closing costs.
To afford a $300,000 house, you'll need to make more than $83,000 a year, assuming you don't have any significant recurring debt.
Down payment amounts for a $350,000 house can range from 0% to 20% or more. The required down payment depends on the type of mortgage you choose. Conventional loans typically require 3-20% down for a $350,000 house. Government-backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA have different down payment requirements.
If your lender offered you a $300,000 loan with a 15-year fixed-rate term at a 7% annual percentage rate (APR), you could expect your monthly payment — principal and interest — to be about $2,696. If you took out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 7% APR, your payment could be about $1,995.
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.
FHA Loan Down Payment
They require a minimum down payment of just 3.5%, which is $10,500 for a $300,000 home. Please also note that mortgage insurance premiums are a requirement for all FHA loans. Similar to Private Mortgage Insurance, FHA Mortgage Insurance is in place to protect lenders if a default occurs.
Assuming a down payment of 20%, an interest rate of 6.5% and additional monthly debt of $500/month, you'll need to earn approximately $80,000 to afford a $300,000 house.
How Much Income Do You Need to Buy a $300,000 House? With a 5% down payment and an interest rate of 6.877% (the average at the time of writing), you will want to earn at least $6,750 per month – $81,000 per year – to buy a $300,000 house. This is based on an estimated total house payment of $2,445.
It could be, but it depends on the home sales price and which mortgage loan program you're using. With a conventional loan, you need at least 3% of the purchase price to qualify, so a $10,000 down payment would only work on a home priced at $333,000 or less (333,000 x 0.03 is $9,990).
For a $500,000 home, you'll likely need a good to excellent credit score: 760+: Best rates and terms. 740-759: Slightly higher rates.
Conventional loans typically require 3-20% down for a 300k house. Government-backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA have different down payment requirements. Your down payment affects your monthly payments, interest rates, and additional costs like PMI.
While there's no magic number, here's a general idea of what you'll need to afford a $350,000 home: Income: Aim for a combined gross annual income between $87,000 and $110,000. This is a starting point, and your actual needs may vary. Down Payment: A larger down payment means a smaller loan and lower monthly payments.
Here's what a $300,000 monthly mortgage payment would be at today's rates, accounting for the conventional 20% down payment ($60,000) and excluding homeowners insurance and taxes: 15-year mortgage at 5.86%: $2,007.15 per month. 30-year mortgage at 6.44%: $1,507.51 per month.
With a $40,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $100,000 to $140,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions.
Depending on the cost of living in your area, making ends meet on $50,000 a year might require sharing a living space, keeping close tabs on your spending, and forgoing some luxuries. However, you should still have enough to take care of your basic needs with some left over to put toward your future.
Costs both parties might pay
Attorney fees: Real estate attorneys are often hired by either or both parties to review contracts and closing documents — in fact, in some states, the transaction cannot legally close without one. They typically charge by the hour, though there may be set fees for certain tasks.
Earnest money is a deposit made early in the process to show good faith and commitment to the purchase, while a down payment is a larger payment made at closing that reduces the amount of the mortgage loan needed to purchase the property.