✦ Free calculator · educational estimate
How much home can I afford?
Enter your income, debts and down payment to see a conservative-to-stretch price range for the Charlotte area, with county property taxes.
Educational estimate; not a loan approval or a pre-approval. Every assumption is editable. The interest rate is an assumption, not a quote.
Estimated payment at the conservative price
This range is an educational estimate, not a loan approval or a pre-approval. Educational information; not financial advice. Real limits are set by each lender and program.
Want Berenice to review your result?
Optional. Berenice will message you on WhatsApp or call to go over your result calmly, in English or Spanish. No cost, no obligation, no pressure.
Thank you! Berenice will reach out soon. ✦
Keep going with how much do I need saved?, what a pre-approval is, or the down payment help page.
Frequently asked questions
What do 28%, 36% and 43% mean?
They are debt-to-income ratios used as reference points. 28% compares the housing payment with your gross monthly income; 36% adds all your monthly debts; 43% is a more stretched scenario. Every lender and program sets its own limits, so the range is only a guide.
Is the interest rate shown a quote?
No. It's an editable assumption so the math can run. Replace it with the rate your lender gives you on your Loan Estimate. A small difference in rate changes the price you can afford quite a bit.
What does the $15,000 assistance box do?
It adds $15,000 to your down payment as a scenario, so you can see how the range would change if you qualified for a program. There may be up to $15,000 toward the down payment plus closing-cost assistance programs, subject to qualification; it is not a promise of eligibility.
Why do taxes change by city?
In North Carolina the county charges a rate per $100 of value and, if the home is inside city limits, the city adds its own. That is why a home in Salisbury pays more tax than a same-priced home outside city limits in Rowan. You can edit the rate if you know the exact one.
Is this a pre-approval?
No. It's an educational estimate that doesn't review your credit or documents. A pre-approval comes from a lender after reviewing income, debts, savings and credit. Use the range to talk with your lender and with Berenice.
Assumptions and sources (October 8, 2026): Debt ratios: 28% (housing ÷ gross income), 36% (all debts) and 43% (stretch scenario) — common industry rules of thumb; every lender and program sets its own. Interest rate: editable assumption, not a rate quote. Property tax: county and city rates per $100 of value (FY2025-26, or FY2026-27 where the town has published it) from the NC Department of Revenue and official county/city sites; special districts and fire fees are not included, and assessed value can differ from price. Homeowners insurance: editable assumption — get a quote; NCDOI does not publish a statewide average. Mortgage insurance: 0.55% of the loan per year when the down payment is under 20%, taken from FHA's annual premium in HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05; conventional loans use PMI priced differently. FHA upfront premium and guarantee fees are not included. Assistance: up to $15,000 toward the down payment plus closing-cost assistance programs, subject to qualification — modeled here only as a scenario.