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First-Time Home Buyer & Investor Calculator.

Buying your first home? Start here — estimate FHA & conventional payments and the income you need to qualify. Then, when you’re ready to invest, move on to DSCR for rentals and small multifamily and check live county loan limits.

Estimate From Address
Enter a full address to auto-fill price, taxes & insurance.
Loan Details
Target Home Price
$100,000$1,500,000
Your Gross Monthly Income
$2,000$40,000
Down Payment
0%50%
Interest Rate
3%10%
Taxes, Insurance & Debts
Annual Property Taxes
$0$30,000
Annual Insurance
$0$10,000
Monthly HOA
$0$1,500
Other Monthly Debts
$0$5,000
Down Payment
Interest Rate
Monthly Debts
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do I need to buy a house?

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Most lenders qualify you when your total monthly debts stay within 43% of gross income for FHA loans and about 36% for conventional loans. Enter a target price in the Home Buyer tab above and PathIQ shows the gross monthly income you'd need for both programs, including taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance.

What credit score do I need for an FHA loan?

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FHA allows a down payment of 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher. Scores between 500 and 579 can still qualify but require 10% down. FHA loans also carry an upfront and an annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP).

What is DSCR and what counts as a good ratio?

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DSCR (debt-service coverage ratio) is a rental property's income divided by its monthly loan payment. A DSCR of 1.0 means the rent exactly covers the payment; most DSCR lenders want at least 1.0, while conventional investor loans typically look for about 1.25. Use the DSCR tab to score a rental across loan types.

How do conforming and FHA loan limits work?

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Conforming limits are set each year by the FHFA and FHA limits by HUD, and both vary by county — high-cost areas allow higher ‘high-balance’ limits. A loan above your county's conforming limit becomes a jumbo loan. Check your exact county in the Loan Limits tab above.

Should a first-time buyer choose FHA or conventional?

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FHA is easier to qualify for — lower credit and 3.5% down — but its mortgage insurance usually stays for the life of the loan. Conventional needs stronger credit, yet its PMI drops off once you reach about 20% equity, so it often costs less long-term for buyers who qualify.

Is the PathIQ loan calculator free?

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Yes. The calculator is completely free and requires no login or credit check. All results are estimates for planning, not a commitment to lend.