Mortgage Center
Estimate your mortgage payment, including taxes, insurance, and other monthly costs. Enter your home's price and down payment to see a breakdown of your mortgage payments. By adjusting these numbers, you can see how different factors, like down payment or HOA fees, impact your overall monthly payment.
How much can you afford?
Enter your income and expenses to figure out the best budget for your new home.
Is it better to rent or buy?
Use this handy calculator to see which makes the most sense.
Use these handy calculators to figure out what you can afford or choose between renting or buying. But remember, our simple calculators can never replace the seasoned and personal advice your REALTOR® and a mortgage professional can offer you.
Our calculators are based on standard formulas and the data you provide and may not apply to your specific situation. Always check with a professional before making a significant financial decision.
Mortgage Calculator Definitions
Gross Annual Income
Enter the purchase price. This could either be the price on the listing or the amount you will offer.
Down Payment
This is the amount of money you will pay up front for the home. A higher down payment will lower the monthly payment. Make sure your down payment meets any minimum required by the lender.
Interest Rate
This number is based on current average mortgage rate, but may vary depending on your financial situation, credit score, down payment, or lender.
Loan Term
This is how long it will take you to pay off the home loan.
HOA/mo
This field can be used to include any Home Owners Association (HOA) fees or other monthly fees for the property.
Home Insurance
Insurance is often required by lenders. You can remove this from the calculation by clicking the box labeled "Remove Mortgage Insurance."
Property Tax
Property tax is estimated based on the home's value. You can edit this number.
Type of Loans
You can classify home loans in any number of ways, but here are the most common types of mortgages:
Fixed rate or adjustable rate
A fixed rate loan is a mortgage with an interest rate that is set when you take out the loan, and it will never change. An adjustable rate mortgage has an interest rate that may go up or down.
Conforming or Jumbo Loan
A conforming loan means that the mortgage is made under the auspices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government entities that guarantee loans for banks.
First or second mortgage
A first mortgage will always be the primary lien on your home, and it takes precedence over every other type of loan you might take out on your home. Usually, the loan used to purchase your home is secured by the first mortgage. Second mortgages also use your home as collateral, and it is paid out in one lump sum at the beginning of the loan. Many people use a combination of loans to achieve their financing goals.
Talk to your REALTOR®
For many people, getting a mortgage unlocks homeownership. A mortgage enables you to buy a home and build your equity, so that your personal wealth grows right along with the value of your property.
While getting a mortgage can feel scary and hard, your REALTOR® can talk you through your options and refer you to lenders who can help you find the right loan for you. Having the right lender and loan in your corner can help your offer stand out in a competitive bidding situation.
In the long term, study after study shows that homeowners are wealthier than those who rent. So why not talk to a MID-ILLINOIS REALTORS® ASSOCIATION REALTOR® today about buying a home and getting a mortgage that helps ensure your financial future?
Frequently Asked Questions