Question 1

How much of a mortgage can I afford in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Most Virginia lenders qualify buyers up to a 36% back-end debt-to-income ratio, meaning your total monthly debts — including the new mortgage — should stay near or below 36% of your gross monthly income. On a $150,000 household income (about $12,500/month), that caps housing plus debts around $4,500/month. Our affordability calculator works backward from your income, existing debts, and down payment to estimate your maximum home price.

Question 2

What is included in a monthly mortgage payment?

Accepted Answer

A typical payment has four parts, often called PITI: principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. In Virginia, property tax averages about 0.82% of the home value per year and homeowners insurance runs roughly $1,400 per year. If your down payment is under 20%, private mortgage insurance (PMI) of about 0.5% of the loan per year is added. HOA or condo dues, when they apply, are on top of PITI.

Question 3

How much do I need for a down payment on a Virginia home?

Accepted Answer

Conventional loans generally require 3% to 5% down, FHA loans 3.5%, and VA loans — widely used in Northern Virginia’s military community — can be 0% down for eligible buyers. Putting 20% down lets you avoid PMI entirely. On a $650,000 home, 20% is $130,000, while 5% is $32,500 plus PMI. Ask a licensed lender which loan program fits your situation.

Question 4

What is PMI and when does it go away?

Accepted Answer

Private mortgage insurance protects the lender when your down payment is below 20%. It typically costs about 0.5% of the loan amount per year — roughly $217/month on a $520,000 loan. On conventional loans, PMI can usually be removed once you reach 20% equity and automatically terminates at 22% equity under federal law.

Question 5

How does the interest rate affect my payment?

Accepted Answer

Rate has a large impact. On a $520,000 loan over 30 years, principal and interest run about $3,286/month at 6.5% versus roughly $2,790/month at 5.5% — nearly $500/month, or about $6,000 a year. Even a 0.5% rate change moves the payment by about $160/month, which is why comparing lender quotes and locking a rate matters.

Question 6

Are these calculator estimates a loan approval?

Accepted Answer

No. This tool provides educational estimates only and is not a pre-qualification, loan commitment, or offer to lend. Your actual rate and terms depend on your credit, income documentation, the property, and the lender. For an accurate quote and pre-approval, speak with a licensed Virginia mortgage lender.

Tools & guides

Northern Virginia buyer calculators

More buyer tools