Most affordability calculators only check the mortgage multiple. We also check your deposit minus stamp duty or closing costs, and whether the monthly payment leaves room for life.
Gross household income, savings earmarked for a deposit, other debts.
Combined gross income of everyone going on the mortgage.
After reserving an emergency fund, moving costs, and furnishing budget. Only the money you'd actually deploy.
Student loans, car loans, credit-card minimums. Lenders subtract these from your borrowing room.
Rate, term, and the lender constraints that cap your borrowing.
UK lenders typically cap at 4 to 4.5x salary. Use a lower multiple if you want to stress-test.
The classic 28% rule predates modern healthcare and property tax. 35% of net is a more realistic ceiling for most buyers.
Constraint: Monthly affordability
Illustrative figures only. UK stamp duty uses 2025/26 HMRC bands; US closing costs approximated at 3% of price. Net-income factors are rough proxies (65% UK, 70% US). For your specific situation, consult a qualified adviser.
Worth turns your affordability picture into a property plan. Stress-test the rate, run the deposit trade-off, and see what's left for life once the mortgage starts. Join the waitlist.
The classic 28% rule predates the standard deduction, current high property tax in major US cities, and modern healthcare costs. Using net income with a 35% ceiling is more realistic and survives stress tests better. For UK high earners with marginal tax above 40%, gross-based ratios understate the burden.
This calculator doesn't reserve emergency fund from your savings. Reserve 3 to 6 months of expenses before deciding how much deposit to use. The 'savings available' field should be your total minus emergency fund minus moving costs minus furnishing budget.
Affordability is whichever of three constraints binds first. Income multiple: lenders cap the mortgage at 4 to 4.5x salary in the UK, or roughly 43% debt-to-income in the US. Deposit available: savings minus stamp duty or closing costs must cover the down payment. Monthly affordability: the payment must leave room for life, typically under 35% of net income. The calculator surfaces which one is your ceiling today.