What is in a mortgage payment (PITI)
- Principal and interest: the loan payment itself, fixed for the life of a fixed-rate mortgage.
- Taxes: property taxes, usually collected monthly into an escrow account.
- Insurance: homeowners insurance, also usually paid through escrow.
- PMI: required on most conventional loans with less than 20% down.
- HOA dues: paid to the association directly, but part of your housing cost.
Taxes and insurance can change every year, so the escrowed part of your payment can rise even on a fixed-rate loan.
How PMI works
Private mortgage insurance protects the lender when you put down less than 20%. It typically costs 0.3% to 1.5% of the loan per year, depending on credit score and down payment. Under the Homeowners Protection Act, borrower-paid PMI on a conventional loan must end automatically once the balance is scheduled to reach 78% of the home’s original value, and you can ask to cancel it at 80%. This calculator shows when it drops off. FHA loans use their own mortgage insurance (MIP), which with less than 10% down lasts for the life of the loan.
Example
A $400,000 home with 10% down leaves a $360,000 loan. At 6.5% for 30 years, principal and interest is $2,275.44. Add $3,200/yr in property tax ($266.67/mo), $1,800/yr in insurance ($150/mo) and PMI at 0.5% ($150/mo), and the total payment is $2,842.11.
Frequently asked questions
How much house payment can I afford?
A common guideline is to keep the full housing payment under 28% of gross monthly income and all debts under 36%, though many loan programs allow more. The home affordability calculator works backward from your income to a price.
Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better?
A 15-year loan has a higher payment but usually a lower rate and far less total interest. A 30-year loan keeps the payment low and flexible; you can still pay extra to finish early. Compare both terms here or in the extra payment calculator.
Why might my lender’s payment be different?
Lenders use your actual tax bill, insurance quote and PMI rate, and they may collect an escrow cushion. Use their Loan Estimate for exact figures; this calculator is for planning.
Does putting 20% down really matter?
On a conventional loan, 20% down avoids PMI entirely. Below that, PMI adds to the payment until the balance falls far enough, which this calculator estimates.
Sources
- CFPB: What is private mortgage insurance? (cancellation at 80%, automatic end at 78%)
- CFPB: Understanding your Loan Estimate
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Buying a house
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