Taking on a mortgage payment is a responsibility to consider. However, everything will depend on the number of years of the repayment and the available instalments. When we buy a house and are faced with a credit of $400,000, we have to consider adding other additional costs.
When you sign up for a mortgage for $400,000, you pay some fees, taxes, and fees that determine the amount of interest you will pay during the life of the mortgage and you also have to make the fixed monthly instalments. We have all these matters covered in the following lines.
How much am I going to pay monthly on a $400,000 mortgage?
Although the monthly amount could vary depending on the circumstances mentioned above, the Payment on a $400,000 mortgage is more straightforward than other figures. To calculate it, look at the following example: For a typical Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 4%, the monthly Payment (assuming the mortgage is for 30 years) would be $1,910 before tax and insurance.
To better understand how this monthly Payment works, these three main components are essential:
- Principal Payment: the amount of money that goes to pay the net amount of the $400,000 mortgage.
- Fees and interest: the additional costs for the lender when repaying the borrowed money.
- Security Deposit Costs: This instalment refers to the insurance payments, related fees, and annual taxes borne by the property owners.
Tiny fractions of these three components are paid monthly, and the monthly payment varies, basically, by the interest rate and the amount of time you take to pay off the mortgage. That means you can do the standard APR calculation to determine the fixed amount of $400,000, but this does not include the previously mentioned additions.
The interest and principal pay an additional percentage each month. You should consult your lender to estimate a more accurate monthly figure. To better illustrate the scenario, here are two examples:
Case one
With an APR of 3.5% and a 15-year term to pay off the mortgage, you would have a monthly payment of $2,860. On the other hand, if we maintain the same percentage but with a 30-year term, the monthly payment would be $1,796.
Case two
With an APR of 5% and a 15-year term to pay the mortgage, the Payment would result in $3,163 per month. Whereas, if we continue with the same percentage but pay for 30 years, you would have a payment of $2,147 per month.
How much interest will I end up paying on a $400,000 mortgage?
The amount of interest you pay will depend solely on the percentage charged by your lender and the length of the mortgage repayment. It is essential to consider that the more the debt is extended in time, the higher the interest rate will be.
It is common to see these interest rates in your Annual Percentage Rate, and they are set according to the market estimates and your credit history. The higher your credit score, the lower the interest rate.
What should I consider before taking on a $400,000 mortgage?
Before applying for a mortgage, it is important to understand everything it comprises. This means that our first recommendation is to get advice. Take all the positive and negative factors around you that may affect your ability to repay.
Also, consider the amount of money you currently have saved to pay on the down Payment and thus establish a credit program that fits your case. It is important to remember that all the programs have different requirements, as well as some that accommodate your monthly payments.
We also recommend that you talk to different lenders and evaluate the credit rates of each one. When doing so, be sure to ask about prepayment fees and penalties. Keep in mind that if you pay off your mortgage early, you will have to pay a fee, which also works against you for future credit.
Also, consider that some lenders also charge underwriting fees that are often high and add to your monthly payments.
Consider the payments associated with the mortgage and the house.
Keep in mind that taking on a mortgage and owning a home require some additional payments that have nothing to do with the loan.
Recurring payments
These are the payments you must make on a recurring basis. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that owning a home requires the investment of 3% to 6% of its value per year; however, everything varies according to its year of construction.
Some recurring payments have already been mentioned, such as taxes, insurance, and homeowner’s fees. But, we invite you to consider these additional costs:
- Utility payments: the Payment of water, electricity, sewage, natural gas, telephone service, Internet, etc.
- Maintenance: like any property, houses require constant maintenance. According to the National Association of Home Builders, homeowners typically spend about $1,000 per year on basic maintenance. It is recommended that 1% of the home’s value be set aside to pay for annual maintenance.
- Home Insurance: It is advisable to take out additional insurance to cover the cost of appliances or systems that may be damaged by electrical failures.
Non-recurrent payments
Mortgages have a series of one-time payments estimated among the non-recurring costs. You may consider the following:
- Closing Costs: This is an amount to pay to cancel the mortgage.
- Finance fee: Depending on the type of income you choose, you will have to assume a finance fee as part of the loan.
- Points: To target lower interest rates, lenders require you to pay a fee known as a “point,” each point is 1% of the amount.