YOUR BUYING-POWER ESTIMATE
A starting point to explore.
Add your income, debts and savings, then choose Explore my starting point.
Your estimate will show:
- A purchase-price starting range
- An estimated payment for the home price you choose
- Cash needed and points to discuss with a loan officer
No credit check. Your entries stay in your browser unless you submit a request. This is a planning estimate, not a prequalification or approval.
You may qualify for more or less than this estimate. Other loan programs, down-payment assistance or help with closing costs may create additional options. A loan officer can review what fits your situation. Assistance is not included in these figures, is subject to eligibility and available funding, and may involve a repayable loan or additional costs. Help with upfront cash does not necessarily make the monthly payment affordable.
Modeled price at 36% and 43% total debt-to-income, limited by your cash and county conforming limit. These are planning assumptions, not qualification thresholds. Your preferred budget is compared separately below.
This buying-power estimate uses only the figures you enter. We have not verified your income, employment, debts, savings, credit or property. Incorrect, incomplete or outdated information can materially change the result or make it unusable. Income entered here may differ from income a lender can use. This is not a prequalification, preapproval, credit decision, rate offer, rate lock or commitment to lend. A loan officer must review your circumstances and supporting documents; all loans require lender underwriting approval. You may qualify for more, less, different programs, or no loan. You may qualify for more or less than this estimate. Other loan programs, down-payment assistance or help with closing costs may create additional options. A loan officer can review what fits your situation. Assistance is not included in these figures, is subject to eligibility and available funding, and may involve a repayable loan or additional costs. Help with upfront cash does not necessarily make the monthly payment affordable.
We’ll email you a copy and have a loan officer follow up to review your goals and these numbers.
Let’s go over these numbers.
We’ll email your figures, estimate, assumptions and a private 30-day link. A loan officer will also contact you to review your goals and help you understand your options.
What this estimate can—and cannot—tell you.
There may be more paths to explore. You may qualify for more or less than this estimate. Other loan programs, down-payment assistance or help with closing costs may create additional options. A loan officer can review what fits your situation. Assistance is not included in these figures, is subject to eligibility and available funding, and may involve a repayable loan or additional costs. Help with upfront cash does not necessarily make the monthly payment affordable. A low estimate is a reason to ask questions, not to assume every door is closed.
A sustainable payment comes first. If buying would leave too little for everyday expenses, repairs and an emergency cushion, continuing to rent while building savings or reducing debt can be a sensible step. Assistance with down payment or closing costs may help with upfront funds, but it does not remove the need for a manageable monthly payment and verified qualifying income.
Accurate inputs matter. Entering a larger income, leaving out debts or overstating available savings will produce an estimate that may not reflect your options. We do not verify your entries here. Supporting documents, mortgage credit reports and underwriting determine what income, funds and obligations a lender can actually use.
The model and its limits
This illustrates a 30-year fixed conventional purchase loan for a one-unit California primary residence, with your chosen down payment. The range uses 36% and 43% total debt-to-income budgeting assumptions, including modeled housing costs and the monthly debts entered. These percentages are not universal program limits or an underwriting decision. Actual allowable ratios may be higher or lower. The county conforming limit is checked, but credit eligibility, reserves, income continuity, property eligibility, occupancy, appraisal, lender overlays and automated underwriting are not evaluated. FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, down-payment assistance and special programs are not evaluated. No result rules out those options.
Your preferred monthly housing budget is compared with the target payment; it does not determine the income-based range. The range is capped by the savings remaining after your selected cushion, down payment and closing-cost allowance. A low result or no range means only that this model could not illustrate a purchase within its $25,000–$3,500,000 range. It is not a denial.
Payments, cash and rates
Payment includes estimated principal, interest, property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA dues and initial PMI where applicable. Taxes start at 1.25% annually; insurance uses 0.35% annually unless you enter an annual amount. Conventional PMI starts at 0.5% annually below 20% down. These assumptions are editable and are not insurer, tax or lender quotes. Supplemental taxes, special assessments, flood or earthquake coverage and California wildfire risk may materially increase costs. Utilities, maintenance, repairs, moving costs and personal living expenses are excluded. The savings cushion is not a determination of lender-required reserves.
The default closing-cost and prepaid allowance is 3% of price; actual cash to close may differ. No seller credit, gift, grant or assistance is assumed. Starting rates are third-party top-tier averages, not IMS offers and not tailored to the credit range or down payment you select. MND’s index may reflect points; zero-point pricing is not established. Changing credit range does not generate a personalized rate or PMI quote. The interest rate is not APR; this tool does not calculate APR or provide a Loan Estimate. Rates, fees, mortgage insurance, programs and underwriting requirements can change without notice.
Speak with a licensed loan officer before relying on any figure, making an offer or committing funds. This tool does not order credit, accept a credit application, issue a prequalification or approval, or guarantee financing. The full application and verification process is separate.
Fannie Mae: debt-to-income ratios · CFPB: planning an affordable mortgage · CalHFA: down-payment and closing-cost assistance · Privacy information