Mortgage Calculator: A Needful Tool for Your Property Purchase

March 31, 2023

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and the process can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to determining your monthly mortgage payments. 

Fortunately, mortgage calculators can help simplify the process by giving you an estimate of what your monthly payments might be.

What Is a Mortgage? 

A mortgage is a type of loan used to purchase or refinance a property, such as a house or a commercial building. The borrower (also known as the mortgagor) pledges the property as collateral for the loan, meaning that if they fail to make the required payments, the lender (also known as the mortgagee) can take possession of the property and sell it to recover the outstanding debt.

Mortgages typically have a fixed term, usually 15 or 30 years, during which the borrower makes regular payments that include both principal and interest. The interest rate on a mortgage can be fixed or adjustable, meaning it can change over time based on market conditions.

The amount of money a borrower can receive from a mortgage depends on several factors, such as the income or credit score of the borrower and the value of the property being purchased. Typically, the higher the property value, the bigger the loan the borrower can receive. 

What Is Mortgage Calculator? 

A mortgage estimator is a tool that allows you to calculate your estimated monthly mortgage payments based on various factors. These factors typically include the loan amount, interest rate, loan term, and sometimes property taxes and insurance.

A basic mortgage payment calculator can give you a rough estimate of your monthly payments based on the loan amount and interest rate. More advanced calculators, such as a house mortgage calculator with taxes, can take additional expenses like property taxes and insurance premiums into account in order to provide a more accurate estimate.

Using a mortgage calculator can help you determine what you can afford and compare different loan options when purchasing a home. By adjusting the loan amount, interest rate, and other factors, you can see how your monthly payments might change; and make an informed decision about which loan is best for you. Overall, a home mortgage calculator is an incredibly beneficial tool to use throughout the complex process of buying a home.

How to Calculate Mortgage Payment

Calculating your monthly mortgage payment can be a little complicated, but it becomes a much more straightforward process when you have the correct information and use the proper tools. Using a mortgage payment calculator or consulting with a mortgage professional can help make sure you’re getting an accurate estimate.

Find below the steps you need to follow to calculate mortgage payment:

  1. Determine the loan amount, which is the total sum of the money you borrow to purchase the property.
  2. Determine the interest rate that corresponds to the annual rate at which you’ll pay interest on your loan.
  3. Specify the loan term, which is the period of time during which you have to repay your loan. The typical mortgage term is 15 or 30 years.
  4. Use a mortgage payment formula to calculate your monthly payment once you determine all the necessary numbers, insert them into a formula

Mortgage Payment Formula 

The mortgage payment formula calculates the monthly mortgage payment based on the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term; taking the number of payments per year and the total number of payments over the life of the loan into account. 

The formula determines your monthly payment by using complex mathematical calculations; enabling you to determine what you can afford and navigate between different loan options.

The following is one of the most commonly used mortgage payment formulas:

MP=P[r(1+r)n/(1+r)n-1]

Why Mortgage Calculators Are Useful 

Mortgage calculators are useful because they:

  • Estimate monthly mortgage payments based on the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term.
  • Help borrowers see how different factors affect their payments, i.e. the changes in interest rates/loan terms.
  • Allow the loanees to determine what they can afford based on their income, expenses, and down payment.
  • Enable borrowers to compare different loan options and decide on the best one for their particular financial situation.
  • Can be used for both home purchase and refinance scenarios.
  • Provide a quick and effortless way to calculate mortgage payments without the need for complex math or spreadsheets.
  • Help loanees understand how much interest they will pay over the life of the loan and how this affects their overall financial situation.
  • Assist borrowers experimenting with different scenarios, such as changing the down payment amount or choosing a shorter loan term, to see how these changes affect their payments.

Mortgage Payment: Typical Costs

  • Principal: The total amount borrowed. Each mortgage payment you make trims down the principal.
  • Interest: The sum the lender charges you to loan you the money. 
  • Property taxes: The government-assessed tax on your property. One-twelfth of the annual tax is included in each mortgage payment.
  • Homeowners insurance: A homeowners insurance policy provides coverage for losses and damage resulting from various incidents, such as fire, storms, theft, and even a tree falling on your house. Like property taxes, you make monthly payments of around one-twelfth of your annual premium, and the loan servicer pays the bill when it comes due.
  • Mortgage insurance: If you make a down payment that’s less than 20% of the property’s total value, you’ll probably be required to pay mortgage insurance, which protects the interest of the loaner in the event that the loanee falls short of making a mortgage payment. 

Get in touch