Raise the repair estimate before committing
Closing succeeds but the first repair drains the buffer
Begin with cash that will remain accessible, subtract every purchase and setup outflow, then add known immediate work. Compare what remains with the chosen expense reserve. Run a higher-repair case and keep investments or expected income outside the result unless they will truly be available when needed.
Count only cash that will remain accessible
- Accessible after-tax cash
- Complete purchase-day cash requirement
- Moving, setup and immediate-repair estimates
- Essential monthly expenses and chosen reserve period
The liquidity left after the purchase
Measure liquidity after transaction cash and immediate work leave the account.
Subtract closing, setup and immediate work
Use accessible cash only.
Enter all purchase-day outflow.
Choose essential-expense months before shopping.
Compare remaining cash with essential months
The result compares remaining cash with an entered expense target plus known immediate repairs.
Home Affordability Beyond the Mortgage Payment covers the controlling document terms and questions outside this result.
Future shocks this reserve screen cannot predict
- Investment liquidity or taxes
- Unknown repairs
- Future income changes