Asking yourself: what mortgage can I afford? A mortgage affordability calculator can be very useful here. It will give you an estimate of how much you can afford to borrow, considering your savings and other factors. But, you also need to weigh up your individual circumstances. Let’s take a look.
How much and what mortgage can I afford?
To figure our what mortgage you can afford, you can use an affordability calculator for this you will need to enter the following:
- Your annual salary
- Your partners’ annual salary (if applicable)
- Your deposit amount
- Regular monthly outgoings, for example:
- Credit card loans & payments
- Child maintenance
- Car lease
Remember, this is just an estimate, to be used as a guide only.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Can you keep up with the repayments?
Remember, when you’re a homeowner, it’s not just monthly mortgage repayments you need to worry about. You’ll also be paying for:
- The upkeep and maintenance of the property
- Utility bills
- Living expenses
- Other costs
You need to ensure you’ll be able to keep up with the payments every month as your home may also be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Factor this in when deciding if you can afford a mortgage. A mortgage calculator can help provide a guide.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
What mortgage can I afford with my salary?
What do you need for a mortgage? A lender will assess your salary to determine how much you can afford
Assuming you can borrow four times your salary and assuming you earn £35,000, that would be £140,000. As of October 2022, the average UK house price was £296,000. This would mean you’d need £156,000 in savings.
This is why it can be difficult for many people to buy alone. Most choose to do it with a partner, or occasionally with friends. Government schemes like the Help to Buy Equity Loan can also help.
Where can you afford to buy a house?
Property prices vary greatly depending on location. No surprises here, but the capital is the most expensive area to buy. While there are some cheaper areas in London, the average London’s house price currently sits at £542,000 in October 2022. Even commuter towns further out tend to have a heftier price tag than rural areas.
This calculator takes a look at average property prices in a particular postcode to see what you can afford, given your salary and other factors.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
What mortgage can I afford and which one is right for me?
There are many mortgage products out there, so you need to do your research to see what’s right for you.
95% LTV mortgages are out there to help those with smaller deposits get on the housing ladder. They’re not for first-time buyers alone.
Is it better to buy now, or save more?
It can be tough saving for a house deposit, especially if you’re paying rent at the same time. But, the more you can save, the better the mortgage deal you’re likely to get, with more manageable interest rates.
So, depending on your individual situation, it might be best to wait to buy. Of course, this might not suit you. People may need to move for a number of reasons, such as a new job or divorce. But, it’s something to consider.
Need a mortgage adviser?
If you’re still unsure about ‘what mortgage can I afford?’ and which mortgage is best for you, speaking to a mortgage adviser can help you explore your options. It can also make the application process easier and quicker.
We can connect you with our preferred mortgage adviser who was the winner of the 2021 Best Mortgage Broker award British Bank awards. They offer fee-free advice for most customers and are the UK’s first online mortgage broker!
Get a mortgage quote for free below.
This is provided as guidance only and you should always seek independent mortgage advice.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Last Updated: January 9th, 2024
