Mortgage Calculators

How do I use mortgage calculators?

Mortgage calculators provide useful information and guidance to help you make informed decisions during the home-buying process. Plus, they’re easy to use and typically involve the following steps:

• Go to the calculator you’re interested in learning about.
• Input the necessary information. You’ll need to enter information such as the loan amount, interest rate, repayment term, and any other relevant information that the calculator requires.
• Review the results. Once you’ve entered all the necessary information, the calculator will generate an estimate of your monthly mortgage payment and/or refinancing options.
• Adjust inputs as needed. If you want to see how different loan amounts, interest rates, or repayment terms will affect your monthly payment, simply adjust the inputs, and recalculate the results.

Let’s build a mortgage that works for you.

Using a mortgage calculator can help you better understand your options and make informed decisions about your home purchase or refinancing journey.

It’s important to remember that the results of the mortgage calculators are only estimates and should not be considered as a guarantee of the values displayed. Once you have explored your options, give us a call at 1-877-846-4968 to discuss your questions and next steps!

What’s a mortgage?

A mortgage is a type of loan that’s used to finance the purchase of a property, such as a home or a commercial building. Here are some basic components of a mortgage:

• Loan Amount is the total amount of money you are borrowing to purchase the property.
• Interest Rate is the annual percentage rate (APR) that you will pay on the loan amount over the life of the mortgage.
• Repayment Term is the length of time over which you will make payments on the mortgage, typically ranging from 10 to 30 years.
• Payment Schedule is the frequency with which you will make mortgage payments, typically monthly.
• Collateral is the property being purchased, which serves as security for a bank or company that’s offering up the loan to you. This means that if you fail to make payments on the mortgage, the lender has the right to foreclose on the property and take possession of it to recoup their losses.
• Down Payment is the initial amount of money you will pay upfront when purchasing the property, typically expressed as a percentage of the total purchase price.
• Closing Costs are the fees and charges associated with purchasing a property and obtaining a mortgage, such as appraisal fees, title insurance, and loan origination fees.

How do I budget for a mortgage payment?

A mortgage payment is probably one of the biggest and most costly expenses you’ll ever have. Below are some tips that you should consider when putting forth a plan to manage your monthly mortgage payments:

• Determine what you can afford. Before you apply for a mortgage, take a close look at your income and expenses to determine what you can afford to pay each month. A general rule of thumb is that your mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.
• Consider a shorter loan term. While a longer loan term can result in lower monthly payments, it can also mean paying more in interest over the life of your loan. If you can afford it, consider a shorter loan term, such as a 15-year mortgage, to save money in the long run.
• Make extra payments. If you have extra money each month, consider making extra payments towards your mortgage to pay it off faster, which reduces the amount of interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan.
• Refinance your existing loan. If interest rates have dropped since you first obtained your mortgage, consider refinancing to a lower rate. This can result in lower monthly payments and potentially significant savings over the life of your loan.
• Budget for additional expenses. In addition to your mortgage payment, you’ll also need to budget for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses. Make sure to include these expenses in your budget to ensure you can keep up with them.
• Build an emergency fund. It’s eventual that unexpected expenses will arise such as a job loss, major home repair, or something else. Building an emergency fund can help you cover these expenses without jeopardizing your ability to make your mortgage payments.

By following these budgeting tips, you can better manage your mortgage payments—and ensure that you can afford to pay them over the long term.