Run an ordinary month and a shock month
The payment fits until income or repairs change
Build the ordinary month first, including taxes, insurance, dues and maintenance. Save the remaining margin, then reduce take-home income and raise the maintenance input for a stress case. Compare both results with the cash buffer you intend to preserve after closing.
Replace broad estimates with property evidence
- Normal take-home income rather than gross income
- Current property-tax and association figures
- A property-specific insurance quote
- Essential spending and inspection-based repair estimates
The household question this stress test answers
Stress-test cash flow after complete housing costs and a chosen safety buffer.
Build the month from cash that actually arrives
Use normal take-home income.
Include non-mortgage housing costs.
Repeat with lower income and higher maintenance.
Read the remaining margin as breathing room
Positive room is a planning margin, not lender approval or proof that the purchase is suitable.
Home Affordability Beyond the Mortgage Payment covers the controlling document terms and questions outside this result.
Affordability risks this screen cannot predict
- Tax effects
- Unentered irregular spending
- Future price or income changes