What is the rule for mortgage spending?

Asked by: Ms. Larissa Larkin II  |  Last update: January 14, 2026
Score: 5/5 (41 votes)

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.

What is the rule for how much to spend on mortgage?

The 28% rule is popular with homeowners because it strikes a good balance between buying the home they want and having enough money in their budget for emergencies and other expenses. However, you don't need to spend up to your monthly maximum. Think of 28% as the cap on your monthly mortgage payment.

Can I spend 40% of my income on a mortgage?

While mortgage lenders prefer your back-end DTI ratio not to exceed 36 percent, in many cases, lenders can accept a maximum of 43 percent — this is still within the range of what's known as a “qualifying mortgage” (the sort that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will back and purchase from a lender).

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.

Does the 28% rule include utilities?

Keep in mind that utility bills are not part of your front-end ratio. Let's say your gross income is $5,000 per month. You pay $1,000 toward the principal and interest, $150 toward property taxes, $100 toward homeowners insurance, and $50 in HOA dues. Added together, you're paying $1,300 per month toward your home.

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36 related questions found

Does 30% housing rule include utilities?

The 30% Rule

If you're a renter, this includes your rent plus any utility costs, such as heat, water, and electricity. If you're a homeowner, your housing expenses include your mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners' insurance, any HOA fees, and utilities.

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 is the 2 2 2 rule for mortgage?

A good way to remember the documentation you'll need is to remember the 2-2-2 rule: 2 years of W-2s. 2 years of tax returns (federal and state) Your two most recent pay stubs.

What is the 70 30 rule for mortgages?

You may have heard it—the rule that says “Don't spend more than 30% of your gross monthly income on housing.” The idea is to ensure you still have 70% of your income to spend on other expenses.

What is the 120 rule for mortgage?

A mortgage servicer may not make a first notice or filing for foreclosure until the borrower is more than 120 days delinquent. The 120-day period under the rules is designed to give borrowers time to learn about workout options and file an application for mortgage assistance.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 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 the 50 30 20 rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

Is 50% of income too much for mortgage?

Yes, 50% of your take-home pay is typically too much to put toward a mortgage. However, depending your mortgage lender and type of home loan, your back-end ratio may be as high as 50%. The back-end ratio refers to your monthly payments toward all debts, not just your mortgage.

How much house will $2000 a month buy?

With $2,000 per month to spend on your mortgage payment, you are likely to qualify for a home with a purchase price between $250,000 to $300,000, said Matt Ward, a real estate agent in Nashville. Ward also points out that other financial factors will impact your home purchase budget.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for mortgage?

Key Takeaways. The 50-30-20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should dedicate 20% to savings, leaving 30% to be spent on things you want but don't necessarily need.

What is the 80 20 rule for buying a house?

Real estate's 80/20 Rule refers to the LTV ratio, a primary element of all lenders' Risk Management. A mortgage loan's initial Loan-To-Value (LTV) ratio represents the relationship between the buyer's down payment and the property's value (20% down = 80% LTV).

What is the 3 rule for mortgages?

If you really want to keep your personal finances easy to manage don't buy a house for more than three times(3X) your income. If your household income is $120,000 then you shouldn't be buying a house for more than a $360,000 list price.

What is the 50% rule for mortgages?

The 50% rule in real estate says that investors should expect a property's operating expenses to be roughly 50% of its gross income. This is useful for estimating potential cash flow from a rental property, but it's not always foolproof.

How would the 50 20 30 rule break down your take home pay?

50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).

What income do you need for an $800000 mortgage?

To afford an $800,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $200,000 to $260,000, 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.

What is the rule for how much to spend on a house?

The 28% rule

The 28% mortgage rule states that you should spend 28% or less of your monthly gross income on your mortgage payment (including principal, interest, taxes and insurance). To gauge how much you can afford using this rule, multiply your monthly gross income by 28%.

Is the 28/36 rule realistic?

Bottom line. Like any conventional wisdom, the 28/36 rule is only a guideline, not a decree. It can help determine how much of a house you can afford, but everyone's circumstances are different and lenders consider a variety of factors.

What is the 7 day rule in mortgage?

The 7 Day Waiting Period: Use the precise definition of Business Day here. Consummation may occur on or after the seventh business day after the delivery or mailing of the initial Loan Estimate.

How much house can I afford if I make $90000 a year?

On a $90,000 salary, you could potentially afford a house worth between $280,000 to $320,000, depending on your specific financial situation. This range assumes you have a good credit score and manageable existing debts.

What is the 10 rule for mortgages?

The premise is simple: pay an extra 10% of your monthly mortgage payment toward the principal each week, which can allow you to pay off the loan in approximately 15 years while lowering the amount paid toward interest.