How Much House Can You Afford? The Ratios Lenders Actually Use
'Approved for' and 'able to afford' are different numbers. The two ratios that produce the first — and how to build the second, stricter one for yourself.
Read the guide →KeyNest
Mortgages and affordability, in plain numbers.
Mortgage decisions are math wearing a suit. KeyNest shows the actual ratios lenders use, compares fixed and adjustable rates without the sales pitch, and explains the appraisal standing between your offer and your keys.
Fixed-Rate vs Adjustable-Rate Mortgages: How to Compare Honestly
The ARM starts cheaper — the honest question is what it costs later, and whether you'll still own it then. Adjustment mechanics, caps, and the break-even thinking that settles the choice.
Read the guide →What Does a Home Appraisal Actually Measure?
One visit, a stack of comparable sales, and a number that can reshape your whole deal. What the appraiser measures, what they don't, and what happens when the number disappoints.
Read the guide →How we work
Every guide starts from primary sources — official publications, regulators and reputable research — and is checked by an editor before publishing. If we get something wrong, we update the article. More about us →