Household Budget Calculator

[dciframe]http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/buho/buho_011.cfm,300,603,0,auto,border:1px solid blue;float:left;[/dciframe] Mortgage Professionals use two simple calculations to determine the maximum mortgage that you can afford. This Calculator will quickly calculate these ratios for you.

The first calculation, your Gross Debt Service Ratio, assumes that your monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, taxes and heating expenses and half of the monthly condo fee if you are purchasing a condominium) should not be more than 32% of your gross monthly income.

The second calculation requires that your entire monthly debt load (including housing costs and other debts such as car loans and credit card payments) not exceed more than 40% of your gross monthly income. This figure is your Total Debt Service ratio.

While these ratios help to determine the maximum mortgage and payment that you can afford, obtaining home financing at these levels may not leave you with much room to comfortably deal with any unexpected changes in your monthly budget. Taking a smaller mortgage can help to ensure that your monthly housing costs remain within your means.