Decision Center

Buying a Home

From pre-approval to closing.

A step-by-step decision path for buying your first (or next) home in the U.S.

Your step-by-step path

  1. 1

    Check what you can afford

    Set a realistic price range based on income and DTI.

    Open Home Affordability Calculator
  2. 2

    Estimate the mortgage

    Price the monthly payment including PITI.

    Open Mortgage Calculator
  3. 3

    Add closing costs

    Budget 2–5% of the loan for closing.

    Open Closing Costs Calculator
  4. 4

    Model PMI

    See if a bigger down payment removes PMI.

    Open PMI Calculator
  5. 5

    Review amortization

    Understand how principal vs interest changes over time.

    Open Amortization Schedule Calculator

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