How much income & down payment is needed for a $400k home? (2024)

How much income & down payment is needed for a $400k home? (1)

Have you been looking at homes, but are concerned with affording a home priced at $400,000 or more? Just because home prices are elevated doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goal of home ownership.

Believe it or not, but the median home pricein the U.S. in Q1 2023 was $429,000. That means that most folks were getting mortgages for homes that cost more than $400,000. That number may seem like it's a challenge to afford, but it's still possible, even in the current environment.

There are several steps you can take to improve your ability to afford a home priced at $400,000 or more. Saving for a down payment, reducing personal debts, and managing your credit score are just a few ways to make affording a home priced around the median U.S. home price.

You can continue reading to get specific advice or apply for a mortgage pre-approval. A mortgage pre-approval is a common first step that homebuyers take to begin their journey to a new home.

How much income do I need to afford a $400k home?

To afford a $400,000 home, assuming a 20% down payment and a 6.5% interest rate on a 30-year mortgage, you would need a gross monthly income of approximately $7,786.55. This assumes you have $1,000 in monthly debt.

To understand how to get to this number, you first have to understand how much your monthly payment would be with this mortgage type. With the listed conditions, this works out to 2,348.22 per month. Then, add in your additional debts, that’s $3,348.22. Then take your payments and divide by a debt-to-income ratio of 43%. That should give you a necessary monthly income of $7,786.55 to afford a home worth $400,000 with the conditions described.

Keep in mind that mortgage lenders look atdebt-to-income ratioto help determine affordability. DTI ratio measures how much money you earn versus what you spend on debts. It’s calculated by dividing monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. As a general guideline, your DTI ratio needs to be under 43% to be considered for most mortgage loans.

Please remember that the 43% DTI ratio is only a guideline. Several factors, such as your credit score, property taxes, insurance expenses, and other debts, can impact the mortgage approval. To get a better idea of your finances and figure out how much money you need, talk to a mortgage expert. A mortgage professional can customize the calculation to fit your situation and find the right mortgage for you.

What do down payment options look like for a $400,000 mortgage?

When purchasing a home worth $400,000, you have several down payment options available. The down payment is the initial upfront payment you make towards the total cost of the home. Here are some common down payment options:

20% down payment options

Putting down 20% of the home's purchase price is a traditional and ideal down payment option. For a $400,000 home, a 20% down payment would be $80,000. This option may help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) and can lead to more favorable loan terms.

15% down payment options

A 15% down payment on a $400,000 home would be $60,000. This is a moderate down payment option that can help reduce the initial cash outlay while still providing some benefits in terms of potentially lower monthly payments compared to lower down payment options.

10% down payment options

A 10% down payment on a $400,000 home would be $40,000. This is a lower down payment option that may be suitable for buyers who want to purchase the property sooner with a smaller initial cash requirement.

5% down payment options

A 5% down payment on a $400,000 home would be $20,000. This is a lower down payment option, but it may lead to higher monthly mortgage payments and the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

3% down payment options

Some loan programs, such as certain types of conventional loans and government-backed loans (e.g., FHA loans), offer down payment options as low as 3%. For a $400,000 home, a 3% down payment would be $12,000. While this can make homeownership more accessible, it often comes with higher monthly payments and the added cost of PMI.

It's important to consider the pros and cons of each down payment option. While a lower down payment can make homeownership more attainable, it may also lead to higher long-term costs due to increased interest payments and potential mortgage insurance premiums. Additionally, each lender may have different requirements and options for down payments, so it's essential to explore different loan programs and discuss your specific situation with a mortgage lender to determine the best down payment option for you.

KEY tips TO use to afford a $400k mortgage

To afford a $400,000 mortgage, follow these tips to enhance your financial preparedness:

  • Save for a down payment

    Aim to save for 10%-to-20% of the home's purchase price, which would be $40,000-to-$80,000 for a $400,000 home. Making a larger down payment can lead to better mortgage terms and lower monthly payments.
  • Improve your credit score

    A good credit score will make it easier to qualify for a mortgage with favorable interest rates. Pay your bills on time, reduce debts, and avoid opening new credit accounts before applying for a mortgage.
  • Assess your budget

    Analyze your current income, expenses, and savings to determine how much you can allocate to housing costs. It's a good idea to maintain a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or lower to keep your finances where they need to be to get mortgage approval.
  • Get pre-approved for a mortgage

    Get pre-approved for a mortgage to understand how much a lender is willing to lend you. This will help you set realistic expectations and narrow down your home search.
  • Consider additional costs

    Remember that homeownership comes with additional expenses beyond the mortgage, such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities. You should factor these into your budget when shopping for a home.
  • Shop around for a mortgage

    Different lenders offer different rates and terms, so compare mortgage options to find the best mortgage deal for your situation.
  • Be patient and realistic

    Affording a $400,000 mortgage may take time and discipline. Avoid rushing into a purchase that strains your finances and be patient in your home search.
  • Consult with professionals

    Get advice from a money expert to make smart decisions and customize your financial plan to fit your situation.

By taking these steps, you can work towards affording a $400,000 mortgage and be better prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership. To handle a $400,000 mortgage comfortably, it's crucial to plan well and make informed choices about your finances.

Where can I apply for a mortgage today?

Have you already identified a home in the $400,000 range? If you already have a home in mind, that's fantastic. If you don't, you can still apply for a mortgage pre-approval.

When you get pre-approved for a mortgage, it provides you with an idea of what you'll likely get approved for. It also shows real estate agents and home sellers that you're serious about looking for a home. Apply online to start your journey towards a new home.

How much income & down payment is needed for a $400k home? (2024)

FAQs

How much income & down payment is needed for a $400k home? ›

Assuming a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loan, a down payment of 7% (on a home priced at $430,000), and an interest rate of 7.00%, you would need to earn $130,000 per year to qualify for a $400,000 mortgage. Your estimated monthly mortgage payment of $3,494 would include property taxes and insurance, among other costs.

How much do I need to make to qualify for a $400,000 mortgage? ›

To afford a $400,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $100,000 to $125,000, which translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $8,333 to $10,417. However, this is a general range, and your specific circ*mstances will determine the exact income required.

How much down payment do you need for a $400,000 house? ›

You'll need a down payment of $12,000, or 3 percent, if you're buying a $400K house with a conventional loan. Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $14,000, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the purchase price.

How much should I have saved for a $400,000 house? ›

Putting down 20% of the home's purchase price is a traditional and ideal down payment option. For a $400,000 home, a 20% down payment would be $80,000. This option may help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) and can lead to more favorable loan terms.

Can I afford a 400K house with an 80k salary? ›

With a 20% downpayment, a $400,000 house with a 30-year fixed mortgage at 7.5% interest gives you a monthly mortgage payment of around $2,237. These numbers means someone with an $80,000 income could potentially afford a $400,000 home with the 28/36 rule because 28% of $80,000 is $2,240.

How much is the monthly payment on a 400K mortgage? ›

For example, on a $400K mortgage with a 7% fixed rate, the monthly payment on a 15-year loan is $3,595. The payment on a 30-year loan, by comparison, is $2,661. Just keep in mind that neither amount factors in the cost of insurance or property taxes, which will both be included in your monthly payment.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year? ›

With a $70,000 annual salary and using a 50% DTI, your home buying budget could potentially afford a house priced between $180,000 to $280,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. This range is higher than what you might qualify for with more traditional DTI limits.

What credit score is needed to buy a $400,000 house? ›

What's the minimum credit score needed for a $400,000 house? Most lenders look for a credit score of at least 620 for mortgages that conform to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, but a score of 740 or above will give you the best mortgage rates.

How much house can I afford with a 60k salary? ›

How much of a home loan can I get on a $60,000 salary? The general guideline is that a mortgage should be two to 2.5 times your annual salary. A $60,000 salary equates to a mortgage between $120,000 and $150,000.

What credit score do you need to buy a house? ›

The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

How much income to afford a 350K house? ›

To comfortably afford a $350,000 house, you'll likely need an annual income between $87,000 to $110,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage. Understanding your mortgage payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, is crucial for long-term financial planning.

Is $400,000 a lot for a house? ›

Got your eye on a $400,000 home in your area? That's a good bit above the national median home price of $363,000, according to the National Association of Realtors. The income needed to comfortably afford such a purchase will depend on a variety of factors, including, crucially, the interest rate of your mortgage.

How much income do you need to qualify for a $300,000 mortgage? ›

Request a Free Loan Consultation

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. To afford a $300,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $75,000 to $95,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions.

How much is a downpayment on a 400k house? ›

For these calculations, though, we are going to assume that you are putting down 20%. Putting down this amount generally means you won't have to worry about private mortgage insurance (PMI), which eliminates one cost of home ownership. For a $400,000 home, a 20% down payment comes to $80,000.

How much house can I afford with a 1 million salary? ›

One rule of thumb is to aim for a home that costs about two-and-a-half times your gross annual salary. If you have significant credit card debt or other financial obligations like alimony or even an expensive hobby, then you may need to set your sights lower.

Is $80,000 a good salary for a single person? ›

Is $80K a good salary for a single person? $80,000 is about $5,000 higher than the U.S. median household income, so many people would consider it very good for a single person. “Good” is always a relative term when it comes to salary; whether or not the amount you earn covers your expenses is a highly personal dynamic.

How much money do I need to make to qualify for a $500000 mortgage? ›

Since many lenders don't want more than 28% of a person's income to go toward their mortgage debt, borrowers will generally need an annual combined household income of at least $120,000 to buy a $500,000 house.

How much do I have to make to afford a $350,000 home? ›

To comfortably afford a $350,000 house, you'll likely need an annual income between $87,000 to $110,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage. Understanding your mortgage payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, is crucial for long-term financial planning.

Can I afford a 300k house on a 50k salary? ›

A person who makes $50,000 a year might be able to afford a house worth anywhere from $180,000 to nearly $300,000. That's because your annual salary isn't the only variable that determines your home buying budget. You also have to consider your credit score, current debts, mortgage rates, and many other factors.

What income is needed for a 300k mortgage? ›

To comfortably afford a $300,000 house, you'll likely need an annual income between $75,000 to $95,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage. Your gross monthly income is a key factor in determining how much house you can afford.

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