What do I need to get approved for a $500,000 mortgage?

Asked by: Hazel Shields  |  Last update: January 8, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (29 votes)

By the 28/36 rule, you need to make $150,000 a year to afford a $500,000 mortgage. However, if you have a significant amount of debt, you may need to aim for a lower mortgage amount to keep your total debt below 36%.

How much income to get approved for a $500,000 mortgage?

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.

What credit score do I need for a $500,000 home loan?

To qualify for most types of mortgages, you'll need a credit score of at least 620. Some loan types, such as FHA loans, accept lower scores, but a higher score will almost always get you a lower interest rate. And that could save you a significant amount over your loan term.

How much do I need to save for a $500,000 house?

Down payment: Depends on loan type (e.g., 3.5% for FHA loans, or $17,500 for a $500,000 home). Approximate total needed: About $27,500-$28,750 for a $500,000 home, including closing costs.

How much is the monthly payment on a 500k mortgage?

Monthly payments on a $500,000 mortgage by interest rate

At a 7.00% fixed interest rate, your monthly mortgage payment on a 30-year mortgage might total $3,327 a month, while a 15-year might cost $4,494 a month.

You Need To Make This Much To Buy A 500k Home

42 related questions found

Can I afford a 500k house on a 120k salary?

With a $120,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $450,000 and $500,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a broad range; your specific circumstances will determine where you fall.

How much do you need to make to afford a 550k mortgage?

To afford a $550,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $135,000 to $180,000, 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.

How much income to qualify for a 400k mortgage?

To comfortably afford a 400k mortgage, you'll likely need an annual income between $100,000 to $125,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage.

What is the 28/36 rule?

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.

Can I afford a house on 70k a year?

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.

What is a good down payment on a $500000 house?

Introduction to down payments

It's usually expressed as a percentage of the purchase price. So, if your mortgage requires that you put down, say, 3%, the down payment needed for a $500K house would be $500,000 x 3% = $15,000. And a 20% down payment would require $100,000 ($500,000 x 20% = $100,000).

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

What credit score do I need to buy a house with no money down?

You'll usually need a credit score of at least 640 for the zero-down USDA loan program. VA loans with no money down usually require a minimum credit score of 580 to 620. Low-down-payment mortgages, including conforming loans and FHA loans, also require FICO scores of 580 to 620.

How much money do you need to make to get a $500000 loan?

How Much Do You Need to Make to Get a $500K Mortgage? By the 28/36 rule, you need to make $150,000 a year to afford a $500,000 mortgage. However, if you have a significant amount of debt, you may need to aim for a lower mortgage amount to keep your total debt below 36%.

What income is required for a 600k mortgage?

What income is required for a 600k mortgage? To afford a house that costs $600,000 with a 20 percent down payment (equal to $120,000), you will need to earn just under $90,000 per year before tax. The monthly mortgage payment would be approximately $2,089 in this scenario. (This is an estimated example.)

Can I afford a 400k house on 100k salary?

100k Salary How Much House Can I Afford: Example

Assuming a 20% down payment and a 4% interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you could potentially afford a home priced around $400,000.

What is the golden rule of mortgage?

The Rule of 28 – Your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. This is often considered the “Golden Rule,” and many lenders abide by it.

What qualifies as house poor?

House Poor: What It Means And How To Avoid It. What is house poor? The expressions “house poor” and “house broke” refer to homeowners spending more than they can afford on housing costs, which can include mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance and utility costs.

What is the 3 7 3 rule in mortgage?

Timing Requirements – The “3/7/3 Rule”

The initial Truth in Lending Statement must be delivered to the consumer within 3 business days of the receipt of the loan application by the lender. The TILA statement is presumed to be delivered to the consumer 3 business days after it is mailed.

How much house can I afford if I make $36,000 a year?

On a salary of $36,000 per year, you can afford a house priced around $100,000-$110,000 with a monthly payment of just over $1,000. This assumes you have no other debts you're paying off, but also that you haven't been able to save much for a down payment.

What income is needed for a $500,000 mortgage?

The salary to afford a 500K house ranges between $101,040 and $180,429, assuming a 30 year mortgage, a 7.48% interest rate, and down payment between zero and $15,000.

Can I buy a house with 40k down payment?

If you want to avoid mortgage insurance by putting 20% down, your down payment should be $100,000. If you plan to put 8% down (the median for first-time homebuyers) it would be $40,000. If you're a first-time homebuyer with an FHA loan and a 3% down requirement, you would need $15,000.

What salary do I need to afford a $750K house?

If we assume about about a third of your income is dedicated to housing costs, multiply that $57,600 figure by three to approximate the minimum income you'd need to earn to afford a $750K house: $172,800.