What Does Your Pre-Approval Really Cost?

Carried over
Your numbers came over from How Much Home. The starting price is the bank's estimated max from that tool, not a real approval. Have a pre-approval letter? Put its price in instead.

Not pre-approved yet? Start with what you can comfortably afford.

Step 1

Your pre-approval

Use the numbers on your pre-approval letter or loan estimate.

Purchase price you're approved for

Cash you're putting down

Your interest rate

The rate you were quoted. This tool never assumes or suggests a rate.

Step 2

Taxes, insurance, and extras

Illinois county

Property tax rate

Home insurance a month

County rates are the higher end of typical, so check the actual address. Swap in your insurance quote if you have one.

HOA a month (optional)

PMI a month (optional)

PMI is on your loan estimate if you're putting less than 20% down. Leave it blank if you don't know it, and we'll leave it out and say so.

Step 3

Your monthly life

This is what a lender never asks: what's left after the house gets paid.

Monthly take-home pay

What actually hits your account. Shift worker? Find your real monthly number first.

Monthly debt payments

Other living expenses

Debts: car, student loans, cards. Expenses: groceries, gas, utilities, childcare, savings, everything except housing.

At your full approval

$0 /month

Left each month$0after debts and expenses

Left each year$0before anything goes wrong

Built only from the numbers you entered. Get a real quote before you rely on it.

What if you bought under your approval?

The ladder lines up your approval next to 10% and 20% under it, side by side, so you can see what each step down keeps in your pocket.

Heads up
To see the ladder, I'll ask for your name and email on the next screen. It shows up right away, and I'll email you a copy to keep.

Where should I send your ladder?

First name

Last name (optional)

Email Phone (optional) I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms, and that Brian Wittman may contact me by email. Optional: Brian Wittman may also text or call me at the phone number above. Not required to see my ladder. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

Your pre-approval ladder

Same cash down, same rate, same taxes. Only the price changes.

Your approval is the most a lender will lend, not the price you have to pay. Everything here uses your rate, taxes, and insurance exactly as you entered them. Get a real quote before you rely on it.

The ladder doesn't cover these yet

Cash to CloseThe cash you'll actually bring to closing at the rung you pick, Illinois tax proration included. First-Year OwnershipThe costs that show up in year one, beyond the mortgage payment.

Ready to talk strategy?

Let's build a homebuying gameplan around your numbers.

Schedule Your Free Strategy Call

Questions? wittman.brian@gmail.com