
One of the free online tools we provide for homebuyers is our Mortgage Calculator. This simple tool can help you figure out your potential monthly payment on a home loan. In this post, we are going to explain how you can use it to help you budget for a home and direct your home search toward properties you can afford.
Calculating Your Estimated Monthly Payment
To get started, visit our Mortgage Calculator page.
- Input the total amount you expect for the mortgage.
- Input the down payment you are thinking of making.
- Put in the interest rate you are estimating.
- Choose the number of years for the loan term, and enter it into the amortization period box.
- Click “Calculate.”
The calculator will give you an estimated monthly payment based on all of the info you entered.
Play around with the numbers you put in, and see how the monthly payment changes. This will help you understand how different loan amounts, time periods, interest rates, and down payment amounts can raise or lower your monthly payments.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
It is important to remember that your monthly mortgage is just one of the costs of homeownership. Others include:
- Mortgage insurance (maybe)
- Homeowners insurance
- Home maintenance and repairs
- Utilities
- Homeowners association (HOA) fees (maybe)
- Property taxes
- The rest of your costs of living, plus savings and investments
You need to come up with a budget that includes all of these in order to figure out what monthly payment you can afford, and thus how much home you can afford. Do not forget to account for potential changes in costs and income in the future.
Apply for a Mortgage in Ohio
When you call us for a mortgage consultation, we can talk you through budgeting to buy a home, and point you toward mortgage products that can fit your financial needs. To get started, please give us a call at (614) 505-0620. We are based in Columbus, and can help you buy a home in Columbus or anywhere in OH.