Mortgage Affordability: Find Out What You Can Actually Buy

First thing’s first – you don’t need a math degree to know if a mortgage fits your budget. All you need is your monthly income, your regular bills, and a quick calculator. Plug those numbers in and you’ll see whether a £300k, £500k or even a £600k home is within reach.

Step‑by‑Step Check on Your Income

Start with your net salary – the amount that lands in your bank after tax. Most lenders use a rule of thumb: your total mortgage payment (including interest, insurance and taxes) should stay under 30‑35% of that net income. So if you take home £3,000 a month, aim for a payment around £1,000.

Next, list out all the regular costs that won’t disappear if you own a house: utilities, transport, food, childcare, subscriptions and any existing debt repayments. Subtract those from your net pay. The leftover is what you can safely allocate to a mortgage.

Use a Mortgage Calculator – It’s Your New Best Friend

Grab a free online mortgage calculator. Enter the loan amount you think you can afford, the interest rate (most banks are around 4‑5% now), and the term you want – usually 25 or 30 years. The tool will spit out a monthly payment. If that number is higher than the budget you just calculated, lower the loan amount or extend the term.

For example, a £500,000 house with a 10% deposit needs a £450,000 loan. At 4.5% interest over 30 years, the payment is roughly £2,300. That means you’d need a net monthly income of at least £6,600 to stay under the 35% rule. If you earn less, consider a smaller property or a larger deposit.

Don’t forget extra costs: stamp duty, legal fees, moving expenses and, later on, maintenance. These can add a few thousand pounds in the first year, so keep a buffer in your savings.

Finally, talk to a mortgage adviser. They can run a more detailed affordability assessment, show you deals you might miss online, and explain how your credit score affects the interest rate you’ll get.

Bottom line: mortgage affordability isn’t a mystery. Know your income, tally your expenses, run the numbers, and you’ll see clearly what price range makes sense for you. That way you avoid looking at homes you can’t afford and focus on the ones that fit your budget and lifestyle.