The more money you put down, the better. Your monthly mortgage payment will be lower because you're financing less of the home's purchase price, and you can possibly get a lower mortgage rate.
The Advantages of a Higher Down Payment
There's no doubt that putting down greater than 20% will get a homebuyer a lower monthly mortgage payment. A large down payment lowers the overall risk to the lender of financing the home, and so they will reward the customer with a better rate.
A 50 percent down payment can also increase your purchasing power, as it results in a lower loan balance and monthly payment than a smaller down payment would yield. With a lower balance and loan payment, you free up more of your gross income, which also minimizes the lender's risk.
The benefit of making a higher down payment is that you'll lower your monthly mortgage costs and limit the extent to which you spend money on interest on your home loan. You'll also build equity in your property sooner.
Pros. A 20% down payment is widely considered the ideal down payment amount for most loan types and lenders. If you're able to put 20% down on your home, you'll reap a few key benefits.
To purchase a $300K house, you may need to make between $50,000 and $74,500 a year. This is a rule of thumb, and the specific salary will vary depending on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, the type of home loan, loan term, and mortgage rate.
If you make $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year), your DTI with an FHA loan should be no more than $1,290 ($3,000 x 0.43) — which means you can afford a house with a monthly payment that is no more than $900 ($3,000 x 0.31). FHA loans typically allow for a lower down payment and credit score if certain requirements are met.
“When a buyer is utilizing a larger down payment, they appear more prepared to a seller. It shows they've been saving and that they are financially capable of handling any issues that may arise.”
Summary: A Higher Down Payment Makes a Difference
Yes; it shows more commitment to closing as you have more skin in the game and you have a higher chance of securing a mortgage.
Research the market, know your budget, and make sure you have all the information you need to make a winning offer. Most importantly, get pre-approved for financing. Your offer will look a lot better to the seller with proof in-hand that you can afford the home.
For the couple making $80,000 per year, the Rule of 28 limits their monthly mortgage payments to $1,866. Ideally, you have a down payment of at least 10%, and up to 20%, of your future home's purchase price. Add that amount to your maximum mortgage amount, and you have a good idea of the most you can spend on a home.
For homes in the $800,000 range, which is in the medium-high range for most housing markets, DollarTimes's calculator recommends buyers bring in $119,371 before tax, assuming a 30-year loan with a 3.25% interest rate.
On a $70,000 income, you'll likely be able to afford a home that costs $280,000–380,000. The exact amount will depend on how much debt you have and where you live — as well as the type of home loan you get.
Results. A salary of $70,000 equates to a monthly pay of $5,833, weekly pay of $1,346, and an hourly wage of $33.65.
How Much Income Do I Need for a 350k Mortgage? You need to make $129,511 a year to afford a 350k mortgage. We base the income you need on a 350k mortgage on a payment that is 24% of your monthly income. In your case, your monthly income should be about $10,793.
What income is required for a 400k mortgage? To afford a $400,000 house, borrowers need $55,600 in cash to put 10 percent down. With a 30-year mortgage, your monthly income should be at least $8200 and your monthly payments on existing debt should not exceed $981. (This is an estimated example.)
When attempting to determine how much mortgage you can afford, a general guideline is to multiply your income by at least 2.5 or 3 to get an idea of the maximum housing price you can afford. If you earn approximately $100,000, the maximum price you would be able to afford would be roughly $300,000.
The usual rule of thumb is that you can afford a mortgage two to 2.5 times your annual income. That's a $120,000 to $150,000 mortgage at $60,000.
Throwing in an extra $500 or $1,000 every month won't necessarily help you pay off your mortgage more quickly. Unless you specify that the additional money you're paying is meant to be applied to your principal balance, the lender may use it to pay down interest for the next scheduled payment.
For example, if you budget for a monthly housing payment of $2,500 with two percent annually going to taxes and insurance, assuming the current 30-year mortgage rate is 4%, the math “worked backwards” reveals a maximum home purchase price of $385,000.
While buyers may still need to pay down debt, save up cash and qualify for a mortgage, the bottom line is that buying a home on a middle-class salary is still possible — in some places. Below, check out 15 cities where you can become a homeowner while earning $40,000 a year or less.