💰 Two $70K Salaries = $140K/Year… But How Much House Does That Actually Buy?
It’s easy to look at the math and think, “We make $140,000 a year — we should be able to afford our dream home, right?”
Not so fast! 🏡
When lenders calculate how much house you can afford, they use something called debt-to-income ratio (DTI) — a percentage that compares your total monthly debts to your gross monthly income.
Here’s how it breaks down 👇
🧾 The Lender’s Math:
Gross monthly income: $140,000 Ă· 12 = $11,666/month
Maximum total debt allowed (at 45% DTI): roughly $5,250/month
That includes your new mortgage payment, plus any car loans, student loans, or credit cards.
So, depending on your down payment, taxes, insurance, and existing debts — that might qualify you for a home in the $500K–$650K range.
But here’s the catch:
👉 Just because a lender says you can afford that doesn’t mean it’s what’s comfortable for you.
đź’ˇ Smart Buyers Know:
Online “how much can I afford?” calculators don’t know your lifestyle — or your comfort zone.
Maybe you love to travel, dine out, or invest. Maybe you’d rather keep your payment lower and build savings faster.
At the end of the day, calculators and formulas can’t decide what’s comfortable for you — only you can.
✨ If Buying a Home Is Your Goal → Start Planning Today
Whether you’re six months out or just starting to dream, now’s the perfect time to get a personalized affordability plan — not just a number from a calculator.
We’ll help you:
✔️ Review your income and debts
✔️ Estimate a realistic purchase range
✔️ Build a plan that fits your lifestyle and comfort zone
Ready to take the first step?