Buying Power Calculator
Discover how much home you can realistically afford in Santa Clarita
Get accurate estimates based on conservative underwriting — know your buying power before you start shopping.
Before taxes (gross income)
Used to estimate mortgage insurance rates
Minimum 3% (Conventional) or 3.5% (FHA)
Current estimate - actual rate determined at approval
Car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc. (monthly minimums)
Estimated HOA dues (if applicable)
Estimate Only: This calculator provides conservative estimates based on typical underwriting guidelines. Actual loan approval, rates, and terms are subject to full underwriting review. Property taxes exclude Mello-Roos. AI calculation errors are possible.
Want a simpler, slider-based experience?
Try Our Mortgage Qualifying CalculatorWhy Use Our Buying Power Calculator?
Conservative & Realistic
No inflated numbers or marketing fluff. Our calculator uses real underwriting standards so you know what you can truly afford.
Accurate PMI & Taxes
Includes detailed PMI calculations based on your credit score and Santa Clarita property tax rates for accurate monthly payments.
Instant Results
Get your maximum purchase price and monthly payment breakdown in seconds. No email required, no spam.
How the Calculator Works
Conservative Underwriting Standards
Our calculator uses 43% DTI for Conventional loans and 46.99% DTI for FHA loans — the same standards real lenders use. This ensures you get realistic numbers, not inflated marketing figures.
What's Included in Your Payment
- Principal & Interest: Your core mortgage payment based on loan amount and interest rate
- Property Taxes: Estimated at 1.25% annually for Santa Clarita (excludes Mello-Roos)
- Homeowner's Insurance: Tiered estimates based on purchase price ($3,000-$6,000 annually)
- PMI or FHA Mortgage Insurance: Calculated using actual rate tables based on your credit score and down payment
- HOA Fees: If applicable to your target neighborhood
Loan Program Recommendation
The calculator automatically recommends Conventional or FHA based on your down payment and credit score:
- FHA: Best for lower down payments (3.5-10%) or credit scores below 680
- Conventional: Best for down payments 10%+ or excellent credit (680+)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this calculator accurate for Santa Clarita?
Yes! We use actual Santa Clarita property tax rates (1.25%) and local homeowner's insurance estimates. Mello-Roos is excluded since it varies by neighborhood — we'll discuss that during pre-approval.
Why is my estimate lower than other calculators?
We use conservative underwriting standards (43% DTI for Conventional, 46.99% for FHA) to give you realistic numbers. Many online calculators use inflated DTI ratios to show higher amounts. We'd rather you know what you can truly afford.
Can I qualify for more than this shows?
Possibly! This is a conservative estimate. Some lenders may approve higher amounts based on compensating factors like excellent credit, large reserves, or stable employment history. Get pre-approved to know your exact maximum.
Does this include Mello-Roos?
No. Mello-Roos special assessments vary widely by neighborhood in Santa Clarita ($0-$6,000+ annually). We exclude them from base calculations. Your pre-approval will include specific Mello-Roos for properties you're considering.
What about VA loans?
This calculator doesn't support VA loan calculations due to their unique requirements (no down payment, no PMI, VA funding fee). If you're a veteran or active military, contact us for specialized VA loan analysis.
Ready to Start Your Home Search?
Now that you know your buying power, let's get you pre-approved and start finding your perfect Santa Clarita home.