ConventionalExplore as little as 3-5% down payments, mortgage insurance, and flexible property choices with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Home Affordability Calculator
Use a starting estimate to plan a comfortable housing budget, then compare it with the lender’s individual review.
Use the calculator in three steps
- Enter a realistic price or loan balance and your planned down payment or equity.
- Compare more than one rate and term using the same assumptions.
- Review taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance or fees, HOA dues and closing costs separately.
Calculator results are planning estimates, not a rate quote, loan approval or complete Loan Estimate.
Home Affordability Calculator
Adjust the numbers to compare a planning scenario. Our team can help review the complete payment, cash needed and financing options.
See the numbers and payment schedule
Information and calculations are illustrative—not a rate quote, approval or commitment to lend. Rates and costs are assumptions. Mortgage insurance, taxes, insurance and HOA charges can change. Affordability and DTI outputs are planning estimates, not underwriting decisions. Refinance comparisons exclude opportunity cost and tax effects.
Want a copy of the results?
Smart home financing starts with strategy
Buying or refinancing? We compare options across our network of 150+ wholesale lenders, explain the trade-offs, and build a plan around your goals. Start with a pre-approval video conversation so you know what to expect before moving forward.
Turn an estimate into a financing decision
Check which costs the calculator includes. A lower payment can come from a longer term rather than a lower total cost. For refinancing, compare the costs against the benefit over the time you expect to keep the loan. Your actual numbers depend on the borrower, property and current terms.
Questions worth asking
Review the fields and assumptions. Taxes, insurance, association dues and loan-specific fees may require separate input or calculation.
No. A lender must review your income, credit, debts, assets and the property.
Bring the property address or current mortgage statement, your target payment and the assumptions you used.
Share your goal, property details and the numbers you have been using with our team. We will explain the assumptions, compare suitable financing choices and map out your next steps.
Include cash to close, fees, loan term, taxes, insurance and how long you expect to keep the financing. Our team can help compare the full picture so a lower payment does not hide a higher long-term cost.
Loan Option Guides
Compare home purchase, refinance, equity and specialty financing paths. Start with the guide that fits your goal, then review the borrower and property requirements.
All-in-One Loan / Wealth Builder
Explore first-lien HELOC financing that pairs home debt with cash-flow account features, compare daily-balance interest, deposits, withdrawals and repayment discipline.
Investment Property Loans
Compare rental purchase and refinancing options, including DSCR and short- or long-term rental considerations.
New Construction Loans
Plan construction draws, builder coordination and one-time-close or two-close financing.
Fix & Flip Loans
Review acquisition, renovation funds, short-term repayment and your sale or refinance plan.
Land & Lot Loans
Check build timing, access, utilities and the differences between raw land and a prepared homesite.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Explore multifamily, standalone buildings and individual commercial sites with property-specific underwriting.
More guidance for your next move
Should You Buy a House Now or Wait? Colorado Mortgage Guide (2026–2027)
Should you buy now or wait for lower mortgage rates? This Colorado guide compares full housing costs, payment scenarios, first-time buyer preparation, and refinance break-even so you can choose a plan that fits your budget and timeline.
2026 Condo Financing Changes for
Beginning August 3, 2026, Fannie Mae Limited Review and Freddie Mac Streamlined Review are being retired. Here is what the new condo project review process means for buyers, Realtors, homeowners, and investors.
10 Ways to Improve Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage
Want to improve your credit score before applying for a mortgage? These 10 practical steps can help you strengthen your credit profile, avoid common mistakes, and put yourself in a better position for mortgage approval, better loan options, and potentially stronger interest rate pricing.
Understanding Seller Concessions and Credits for Home Buyers
2026 Loan Limits Increase by 3.26%
The increase in conforming loan limits means that more homebuyers will be eligible for conventional loans, which typically have lower interest rates and fees than jumbo loans. In Denver County, Colorado, housing prices are higher than the national average, so FHFA has what is known as a high balance loan limit, which is set at $862,500 in many areas in Colorado for 2026.
Which is better? Rent vs Buy a Home
Is it better to Rent or Buy a Home? Why Homeownership is More Than Just a Financial Decision
Save on Your Mortgage with a 2-1 Buydown Strategy
Beat High Rates: How a 2-1 Buydown Lowers Your Payment!
Ready to unlock some serious savings on your mortgage? A 2-1 buydown could be the key. This innovative financing option allows you to enjoy a lower interest rate temporarily for the first two years of your loan, which means more savings and money in your pocket each month until rates come back down without having to wait to buy a house. And who doesn't love the sound of that?
Mortgage Process Pre-Flight Checklist
Can you image taking a flight headed to Florida but landing in the ocean instead? Not a fun experience. Just like airlines do airplane maintenance inspections before each departure, check routes for developing weather patterns or potential turbulence before take off, and a pilots make adjustments mid-flight based on this data acquired prior to take off so they know what 1 degree corrections may need to be made to ensure a smooth, safe, and on-time arrival at your intended destination.
Big Changes to Mortgage LLPAs
If you are planning to buy a home in 2023 and beyond, it is important to be aware of these changes to the LLPA. The changes could affect the interest rate you are offered on your mortgage by any lender as these changes are implemented by the FHFA, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Non-U.S. Citizen Mortgage Options
A Guide to Property Taxes for Home Buyers
Understanding the Home Appraisal Process
Are you curious about how the value of a home is determined? Understanding the appraisal process is crucial for both buyers and sellers in the real estate market. An appraisal provides an unbiased estimate of a property's worth, taking into account its condition, features, and current market trends. Discover the different methods appraisers use, including market analysis, cost approach, and income approach, to assess value. By grasping these concepts, you can make informed decisions and ensure you get the best value for your property. Dive deeper into the world of home appraisals and empower your real estate journey!
Plan your next move
Bring your goals and a property address if you have one. Paul Cederholm, mortgage expert and real estate financing strategist, can help you compare the financing choices and plan your next step.
Ready to begin? Start your loan application. Prefer a direct conversation? Call 303-931-6798.
*Information, scenarios, and calculations are for educational and illustrative purposes only—not a loan offer, a commitment to lend, a rate quote or an approval. Programs, costs and qualification requirements depend on the borrower, property, selected lender and current guidelines. Examples are not guaranteed results. Our team can review the details for your situation. These tools do not replace a Loan Estimate, an underwriting decision, or legal or tax advice. Check all figures before relying on them; Cederholm Mortgage Advisors does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of estimates and, to the extent permitted by law, is not responsible for losses arising from reliance on these tools. This notice does not waive rights that cannot legally be waived.