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Florida Mortgage — 2026 Guide

How much house can I afford in Florida?

Your max purchase price depends on income, debts, credit score, and down payment. Use the guidelines below — then get a real pre-approval number from our mortgage team.

The Basic Formula

Income × 28% = your housing budget.

Lenders use two debt-to-income ratios. The front-end DTI caps your housing payment (PITI) at 28% of gross monthly income. The back-end DTI caps all monthly debt payments at 43–50%, depending on loan type. Your lower number is the limit.

Quick Calculation

Gross Monthly Income$8,333 (= $100K/yr)
× 28% (front-end max)= $2,333/mo housing budget
P&I at 7.0% / 30yr on $385K= $2,562/mo (too high)
P&I at 7.0% / 30yr on $350K= $2,329/mo ✓
+ Tax + Insurance + HOA (~$500)= $2,829/mo total PITI
Back-end check: add car, student loans< 43% of gross
Affordability by Income — Florida 2026
Gross IncomeMax PaymentPrice RangeDown PmtLoan Type
$75,000/yr$1,750/mo$285,000–$320,0005–20%FHA or Conventional
$100,000/yr$2,333/mo$385,000–$430,0005–20%Conventional preferred
$125,000/yr$2,916/mo$475,000–$540,00010–20%Conventional or Jumbo
$150,000/yr$3,500/mo$575,000–$650,00010–20%Conventional or Jumbo
$200,000/yr$4,666/mo$775,000–$875,00020%+Jumbo likely required

Assumes 7.0% rate, 30-year term, $500/mo taxes+insurance+HOA, and minimal other debt. Your situation will vary. Get a personalized pre-approval for exact numbers.

Your Gross Income (Not Net)

Lenders use gross income — before taxes. If you're self-employed, lenders average the last 2 years of Schedule C net income. W-2 borrowers use base salary + documented bonuses/commissions.

All Monthly Debts Count

Car payments, student loans, minimum credit card payments, and personal loans all factor into your back-end DTI. Paying off a car loan before applying can meaningfully increase your purchase price.

Down Payment Changes Everything

3.5% down on FHA means a larger loan and PMI. 20% down eliminates PMI (saving $100–250/mo) and qualifies you for better rates. VA loans require $0 down with no PMI — the highest-purchasing-power option.

Credit Score Affects Rate (and Affordability)

A 760+ score gets you the best rate tier. At $400K, the difference between a 680 and 760 score can be 0.375–0.5% in rate — that's $90–120/mo in payment and $30–40K in purchasing power.

Florida Property Taxes Are Real

Palm Beach County effective rate averages ~1.1% of assessed value. On a $450K home: ~$4,950/yr ($412/mo). Homestead exemption saves ~$750/yr on primary residences after your first year.

Equal Housing Lender. Affordability estimates are illustrative only. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval. NMLS# 1859012. Licensed in Florida.

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