How Much Mortgage Can I REALLY Afford 2026?
Lender Approval ≠ What YOU Can Afford!
Lenders approve the MAXIMUM you CAN pay (45% DTI), not what you SHOULD pay. They approve $2,925/month on $6,500 income, leaving $0 for savings or emergencies. Your REAL budget should be 28% of income for comfortable living with a 20% buffer.
🧮 Real Affordability Calculator
Enter YOUR income and debts to see what you can REALLY afford vs what lenders approve.
Monthly: $6,500
Not including housing
PMI required
Current average: 6.5%
❌ Lender Says
⚠️ Leaves $0 for savings!
📊 28/36 Rule
✓ Standard guideline
✅ Comfortable
✓ 20% buffer for savings!
🎯 OUR RECOMMENDATION: $199,961 Max
Stay at 25% of income ($1,625/month) for comfortable living with emergency savings.
✓ What You Save:
$500/month for emergencies
✓ Peace of Mind:
20% buffer for job loss, repairs, medical
✓ Avoid Stress:
No house-poor lifestyle
🎯 Ready to Get Pre-Approved?
Now that you know YOUR real budget, compare rates from 50+ lenders and get personalized quotes in 3 minutes.
Compare Lenders Now →"How much mortgage can I afford?" This is the #1 question every home buyer asks. And most get the WRONG answer because they trust their lender's pre-approval amount.
The TRUTH: Lender approval ≠ what you can afford. Lenders approve the maximum you CAN pay (45% DTI), not what you SHOULD pay. They approve $2,925/month on $6,500 income, leaving $0 for savings, emergencies, or lifestyle. Your REAL budget should be 25-28% of income for comfortable living.
🚨 The Hidden Payment Problem
Online calculators show "$800/month" but reality includes:
(NOT just $800!)
Bottom Line:
Don't let lender approval dictate affordability. Stick to YOUR personal budget covering ALL costs with a 20% emergency reserve.
🎯 Get Pre-Approved (Then Calculate YOUR Budget)
See lender maximum, then use our calculator to find YOUR real comfort level. Compare 50+ lenders and get personalized quotes.
💡 Real Income Examples
$60K Income
$100K Income
$150K Income
Frequently Asked Questions
🎯 Know Your Real Budget? Get Pre-Approved Now
You've calculated YOUR real affordability. Now compare personalized mortgage quotes from 50+ lenders and lock in your rate.
✓ Free quotes • ✓ No obligation • ✓ See YOUR real budget • ✓ Best rates
📚 Related Guides
Meet David
Refinance & Rate Specialist
David Rodriguez is a seasoned refinancing expert with over 10 years of experience in mortgage rate analysis and market trend forecasting. As a Certified Rate Lock Specialist, he has saved homeowners millions in interest payments through strategic refinancing timing. His expertise in Federal Reserve policy impact and mortgage-backed securities makes him a go-to expert for rate predictions and refinancing strategies.
EXPERTISE:
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Saved clients $50M+ in interest payments