Adding it up – how to determine what your total monthly payment will be
Ready to take the leap into home ownership? Hopefully, you’ve saved enough money for a down payment, met with an advisor at your local credit union to discuss your finances, and have already been pre-approved for a mortgage. If so, congratulations, you’re well on your way!
The process can be exciting, but let’s slow down for just a minute. Regardless of the amount for which you’ve been approved, you need to look at your monthly expenses and realistically think about what you can manage. A mortgage payment is a big responsibility.
One number new homebuyers focus on is what their monthly payment will be. Sometimes homebuyers are surprised when they close on a home and find out that their mortgage payment is higher than what they originally thought. Buying a home should be a happy time, so let’s take a look at what will make up your actual monthly payment.
What will my payment include?
There is more to your mortgage payment than simply the cost of your new home. Your payment can be divided into two components: principal and interest. The principal is the amount of money that you borrowed; the interest is the amount of money the lender charges for lending you the money. In the early years, the majority of your mortgage payment will be paying down interest, and only a small percentage will go to accumulating equity in your home. Over time, however, the principal portion of your mortgage payment will increase, and the interest portion will decrease.
Your total monthly payment might also include homeowner’s insurance and property taxes that may be held in an escrow account. You make the payments to the lender in your mortgage payment and when the bill comes due, the lender will make the payment from your escrow account.
An escrow account is an account that is set up by your lender on your behalf. A portion of each mortgage payment will be deposited into your escrow account to pay for certain property-related expenses that are only due once or twice per year. Because the lender is in charge of making the payment, they can make sure it’s made on time and the property is not at risk.
Was your down payment less than 20% of the purchase price of your home? If it was, your mortgage payment will likely also include mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance lowers the risk to the lender, so you can be approved for a loan that you might not otherwise qualify. It protects the lender in case you fall behind on your payments. The cost of mortgage insurance varies, but your lender will be able to discuss it with you during the loan process.
No surprises here!
When you’re aware of all that’s included, you can better budget for your monthly expenses. No one wants to be surprised when it comes to their finances, especially when you’re locked into a 30-year loan. Visit your local credit union for more information, answers to your questions, or help calculating your estimated monthly mortgage cost.