On a $70,000 salary, you can typically afford a home between $180,000 and $360,000. Where you fall in that range depends on three things: your existing monthly debt, the mortgage rate you qualify for, and your down payment size.
Your gross monthly income at $70,000 per year is $5,833 before taxes. The standard 28% guideline limits your monthly housing costs to $1,633 per month. That covers principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. The rule of 3x income puts a conservative floor around $210,000. A buyer with strong credit, 20% down, and minimal debt can push toward the upper end. A buyer with car payments, student loans, and 5% down will land near the lower end.
This guide covers how much house you can afford on $70K with specific dollar figures, how the 28/36 rule applies at this income, a scenario table with exact home prices by rate and debt level, whether you can afford a $300,000 or $400,000 home, what factors move your budget up or down, and steps to expand your ceiling before you apply.
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How Much Can I Afford
- How Much House Can I Afford on $70,000 a Year?
- How the 28/36 Rule Works on a $70K Salary
- Home Price Scenarios by Rate, Debt, and Down Payment
- Can I Afford a $300K House on a $70K Salary?
- Can I Afford a $400K House on a $70K Salary?
- What Affects Your Home Budget on $70K?
- How to Afford More House on $70K
- Is $70K a Good Salary to Buy a House?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much House Can I Afford on $70,000 a Year?
On a $70,000 annual salary, you can typically afford a home between $180,000 and $360,000. Your debt load, mortgage rate, and down payment determine exactly where in that range you land.
The $180,000 to $360,000 Range Explained
The wide range exists because affordability depends on four inputs applied to your specific numbers. At the low end, a buyer with high monthly debts, 5% down, and a rate above 7.5% is typically limited to homes under $200,000. At the upper end, a buyer with minimal debts, 20% down, and a rate at or below 6.5% can reach $260,000 or more.
The rule of 3x income (3 × $70,000 = $210,000) gives a conservative starting floor. Rocket Mortgage benchmarks a $70K earner with a 720-plus credit score, 20% down, and a 6.5% rate at roughly $233,000. The Mortgage Reports places buyers with low debt and good rates in the $290,000 to $360,000 zone. Amerisave anchors the low end at $180,000 for buyers in tighter conditions. These sources agree on the rules. Each applies different default assumptions, which produces different numbers.
Why AI Engines Give You Different Numbers
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity all return different estimates for the same $70K query. Each applies different default assumptions: different debt levels, rate environments, and down payment sizes. None of them disagree on the governing standard, per qualified mortgage debt-to-income limits from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The scenario tables in this article resolve the disagreement by showing a specific dollar figure for each combination of inputs.
Your Gross Monthly Income as the Starting Point
Your gross monthly income on a $70,000 salary is $5,833 before taxes. Lenders use gross income, not take-home pay, as the baseline for affordability. Applying the 28% guideline to $5,833 gives a maximum housing budget of $1,633 per month. That covers principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowners insurance combined. It is the anchor for every calculation in this guide.
How the 28/36 Rule Works on a $70K Salary
The 28/36 rule is the main affordability guideline used in conventional mortgage underwriting. No more than 28% of your gross monthly income should go to housing costs. No more than 36% should go to all monthly debt combined.
What the 28% Housing Limit Means in Dollars
28% of $5,833 = $1,633 per month. This is your maximum total housing payment, covering principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowners insurance (PITI). Lenders call this the front-end ratio. If your estimated PITI exceeds $1,633, a conventional lender will flag it at underwriting, even if your total debt picture is otherwise fine.
What the 36% Total Debt Limit Means in Dollars
36% of $5,833 = $2,100 per month. This is the ceiling for all monthly debt payments combined. That includes your mortgage plus car loans, student loans, and credit card minimums. If you carry $700 per month in other debts, your housing allowance under the 36% cap drops to $1,400. That falls below the 28% limit and becomes the binding number. Every $100 per month in existing debt cuts your home-buying budget by roughly $10,000 to $15,000.
How Lenders Apply the Debt-to-Income Ratio in 2026
The 28/36 thresholds are guidelines, not hard cutoffs. Per conventional loan DTI guidelines from Fannie Mae, conventional loans allow a back-end debt-to-income ratio up to 45% to 50% with compensating factors. Those factors include strong cash reserves, a high credit score, or a low loan-to-value ratio. FHA loans allow a back-end DTI up to 57% with strong credit. Qualifying at a higher ratio does not mean the payment is comfortable. Lenders are making a risk calculation, not a budget recommendation.
How to Calculate How Much House You Can Afford on a $70K Salary
Home Price Scenarios by Rate, Debt, and Down Payment
The tables below show a specific home price for each combination of 30-year fixed rate, existing monthly debt, and down payment size. Each figure comes from actual principal-and-interest calculations at the stated rate, adjusted for an estimated $300 per month in property taxes and homeowners insurance. Per the 30-year fixed mortgage rate survey from Freddie Mac, rates in mid-2026 fall in the 6.5% to 7.5% range. Verify current rates before using these figures for an active purchase.
Low-Debt Scenario (Under $500/Month in Other Obligations)
At this debt level, the 28% front-end limit ($1,633 PITI) is the binding number. Subtracting $300 per month for taxes and insurance leaves a principal-and-interest budget of roughly $1,333 per month.
| Mortgage Rate | 5% Down Payment | 10% Down Payment | 20% Down Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5% | $221,000 | $234,000 | $263,000 |
| 7.0% | $211,000 | $223,000 | $251,000 |
| 7.5% | $201,000 | $212,000 | $238,000 |
Based on $70,000 annual salary, 30-year fixed term, $300/month estimated taxes and homeowners insurance, less than $500/month in other monthly obligations. Verify current rates at Freddie Mac PMMS before transacting.
Moderate-Debt Scenario
At this level (for example, $700 per month across a car payment and student loans), the 36% back-end cap becomes the binding number. Your available housing budget drops to roughly $1,400 PITI, or about $1,100 per month in principal and interest.
| Mortgage Rate | 5% Down Payment | 10% Down Payment | 20% Down Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5% | $183,000 | $193,000 | $217,000 |
| 7.0% | $174,000 | $184,000 | $207,000 |
| 7.5% | $166,000 | $175,000 | $197,000 |
Based on $70,000 annual salary with $700/month in other monthly obligations, 30-year fixed term, $300/month estimated taxes and insurance.
High-Debt Scenario (Over $900/Month in Other Obligations)
At this level (for example, $1,000 per month across car loans, student debt, and credit card minimums), your housing budget under the 36% cap drops to roughly $1,100 PITI. That leaves only about $800 per month for principal and interest.
| Mortgage Rate | 5% Down Payment | 10% Down Payment | 20% Down Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5% | $133,000 | $140,000 | $158,000 |
| 7.0% | $127,000 | $134,000 | $150,000 |
| 7.5% | $120,000 | $127,000 | $143,000 |
Based on $70,000 annual salary with $1,000/month in other monthly obligations, 30-year fixed term, $300/month estimated taxes and insurance.
Can I Afford a $300K House on a $70K Salary?
A $300,000 house is possible on a $70,000 salary with 20% down, minimal other debts, and a rate at or below 7%.
These figures reflect common industry guidelines, not guaranteed approval thresholds. Your lender’s underwriting criteria may differ.
Monthly PITI Breakdown at $300,000
With 20% down ($60,000), your loan on a $300,000 home is $240,000. At a 7% rate on a 30-year fixed term, principal and interest equals roughly $1,597 per month. Adding property taxes of $200 to $400 per month and insurance of $100 to $150 per month brings total PITI to $1,897 to $2,147 per month.
That range exceeds the 28% guideline of $1,633. It fits within the 36% cap of $2,100 only if your other monthly debts total under $200. Sources including dsldmortgage.com and neighborsbank.com consistently cite $75,000 to $95,000 per year as the comfortable income floor for a $300,000 monthly mortgage payment. At $70,000, you may qualify with a strong credit score but will have limited monthly cushion.
When $300K Is Within Reach on $70K
A $300,000 purchase becomes possible when you combine 20% or more down with a credit score above 720, a rate below 7%, and other monthly debts below $200. If you are selling a current home to fund the down payment, understanding contingent vs. pending status matters. Sellers in the $300,000 tier often receive multiple offers, and a contingent bid is seen as riskier than a non-contingent one.
Per FHA loan down payment requirements from HUD, FHA financing allows a minimum 3.5% down ($10,500 on a $300,000 home) with a credit score of 580 or higher. The lower upfront cash requirement reduces the barrier to entry. But a monthly mortgage insurance premium raises your effective PITI and tightens the margin on a $70,000 income. Keep in mind that closing costs (typically 2% to 3% of the loan amount) are an additional cash need on top of any down payment.
When $300K Becomes a Stretch on $70K
At 10% down ($30,000), your loan grows to $270,000. At 7%, that produces P&I of roughly $1,797 per month. That already exceeds the 28% front-end guideline before taxes and insurance are added. If you carry meaningful monthly debt, the back-end cap will not fit both the mortgage and your other obligations at this income. The answer to “can I afford a 300k house on 70k” is conditional: yes with minimal debt, 20% down, and a rate below 7%; no under anything less than ideal.
Can I Afford a $400K House on a $70K Salary?
A $400,000 home is generally not affordable on a $70,000 salary under standard lending guidelines. Those guidelines cap monthly housing costs at $1,633 for this income before taxes and insurance.
These figures reflect common industry guidelines, not guaranteed approval thresholds. Your lender’s underwriting criteria may differ.
Why $400K Exceeds the $70K Budget
With 20% down ($80,000), your loan on a $400,000 home is $320,000. At 7%, principal and interest equals roughly $2,129 per month. That payment alone is 36.5% of your $5,833 gross monthly income. It exceeds both the 28% and 36% thresholds before property taxes, insurance, or any other debt is counted. Total PITI with typical costs runs $2,400 to $2,600 per month, or 41% to 45% of gross income. Per crosscountrymortgage.com, most lenders require $80,000 to $135,000 per year to support a $400,000 purchase with 20% down.
What It Would Take to Make $400K Work
A down payment of 30% or more ($120,000 on a $400,000 home) reduces the loan to $280,000. At 7%, P&I drops to roughly $1,863 per month. That is still 32% of gross income before taxes and insurance. To stay under the 36% total-debt limit at that payment, you would need zero other monthly debts, a credit score above 740, and a low local property tax rate. The CFPB’s qualified mortgage standards make this a borderline loan at $70,000 even in the best conditions.
Alternatives if $400K Is Your Target Price
If $400,000 is the home you want, the most practical near-term paths are clear. Target the $280,000 to $320,000 range now and trade up after equity builds. Add a co-borrower to raise combined income. Or eliminate a large monthly debt before applying. Paying off a $400 per month car loan before closing can add $40,000 to $60,000 to your affordable price. Revisiting $400,000 after two to three years of salary growth is a more sound path than stretching the budget to its limit today.
What Affects Your Home Budget on $70K?
Home affordability on a $70K salary is not a fixed number. It shifts based on five variables. Improving even one or two of them can add $20,000 to $80,000 to your buying ceiling.
Credit Score: How It Moves Your Rate
A credit score of 720 or higher versus 620 typically produces a 0.5% to 0.75% rate difference on a 30-year fixed loan. That gap adds roughly $20,000 to $40,000 in buying power at the same monthly budget. A buyer who raises their score from 620 to 720 before applying gains those extra tens of thousands without earning a single extra dollar of income.
Down Payment Size: More Down, More House
A larger down payment reduces your loan balance, lowers your monthly payment, and removes private mortgage insurance on conventional loans once you reach 20% equity. If you own a home and plan to use its equity as your down payment, knowing your current equity is the first step. See our guide on home equity calculation for the step-by-step math.
PMI on a 5%-down conventional loan typically adds $100 to $200 per month on a $250,000 home. For a $70,000 earner with a $1,633 monthly budget, $150 in PMI reduces the home price you can support by $15,000 to $20,000.
Existing Monthly Debts: The Largest Single Limiter
Your debt-to-income ratio is the most powerful variable in home affordability at $70K. Each $100 per month in existing debt cuts your maximum purchase price by $10,000 to $15,000. A buyer with $800 per month in car and student loan payments loses nearly $80,000 to $100,000 in buying power compared to a debt-free buyer on the same income.
Property Taxes and HOA: The Hidden Payment Multiplier
Property tax rates range from roughly 0.28% per year in Hawaii to 2.49% in New Jersey, per U.S. Census Bureau data. On a $300,000 home in Texas (effective rate of roughly 2.2%), property taxes add about $550 per month. That same home in Hawaii adds roughly $70 per month. The $480 monthly difference can turn an affordable purchase into an unaffordable one. HOA fees of $100 to $600 per month add the same pressure and are included in your lender’s front-end PITI calculation.
Location: Where $70K Goes Further
Home affordability on a $70K salary varies a lot by market. The table below shows the estimated income needed to meet the 28% front-end guideline at each metro’s approximate median home price. Figures use a 7% 30-year fixed rate, 20% down payment, and local tax and insurance estimates. Median prices are approximated from median home values by metropolitan area from the U.S. Census Bureau; verify at publish date.
| Metro | Est. Median Home Price | Est. Income Needed (28%) | Rating at $70K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | ~$175,000 | ~$53,000/yr | Comfortable |
| Tulsa, OK | ~$200,000 | ~$57,000/yr | Comfortable |
| Memphis, TN | ~$210,000 | ~$57,000/yr | Comfortable |
| Birmingham, AL | ~$220,000 | ~$58,000/yr | Comfortable |
| Pittsburgh, PA | ~$200,000 | ~$60,000/yr | Comfortable |
| Kansas City, MO | ~$270,000 | ~$76,000/yr | Moderate stretch |
| Indianapolis, IN | ~$280,000 | ~$78,000/yr | Moderate stretch |
| Columbus, OH | ~$290,000 | ~$84,000/yr | Moderate stretch |
| Austin, TX | ~$460,000 | ~$149,000/yr | Significant stretch |
| Denver, CO | ~$570,000 | ~$148,000/yr | Significant stretch |
| Seattle, WA | ~$750,000 | ~$207,000/yr | Not advised |
| San Francisco, CA | ~$1,200,000 | ~$323,000/yr | Not advised |
Median prices are approximate estimates based on NAR and Census data. Income required is calculated at 28% of gross monthly income using a 7% 30-year fixed rate, 20% down payment, and estimated local property taxes and insurance. Note: Austin’s income requirement rivals Denver’s despite a lower median home price because Texas property tax rates (roughly 2.2%) are among the highest in the country. Verify all figures with current sources before transacting.
How to Afford More House on $70K
You can expand your home budget before you apply for a mortgage. These five steps show which moves carry the most dollar impact.
Pay Down Existing Debt Before You Apply
Eliminating a $400 per month car payment before applying can add $40,000 to $60,000 to your affordable home price. It frees capacity in your debt-to-income ratio. If you carry $600 per month in combined debts now, your housing allowance under the 36% cap is $1,500. Removing that debt raises your allowance to the full 28% limit of $1,633. That is a meaningful shift when every dollar of budget counts.
Save a Larger Down Payment
Moving from 5% down to 20% down on a $250,000 home saves roughly $150 per month in private mortgage insurance. It also reduces your loan balance by $37,500. That combined monthly savings extends your buying range. The larger down payment also signals lower risk to lenders, which can improve the rate you qualify for.
Explore FHA and First-Time Buyer Programs
FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and allow a back-end DTI up to 57% with strong credit. Both thresholds are more accessible than conventional loans. Fannie Mae’s HomeReady and Freddie Mac’s Home Possible programs extend conventional financing to buyers at or below 80% of area median income, which may include $70,000 earners in certain markets. Whether you qualify as a first-time homebuyer depends on your state and program. Most programs define it as not having owned a primary residence in the past three years. HUD’s assistance program search tool lists roughly 2,500 down payment assistance programs by state and county, covering grants and forgivable loans from $5,000 to $25,000. Some also cover a portion of closing costs.
Add a Co-Borrower
Adding a co-borrower who earns $30,000 per year raises combined income to $100,000. At that level, the 28% housing budget grows to $2,333 per month. That supports a home price of $280,000 to $420,000 depending on rate and down payment. If you plan to fund the down payment by selling a current home, understanding how buying contingent on selling works prevents costly missteps in the transaction.
Look for Down Payment Assistance Programs
Many state and local programs offer $5,000 to $25,000 in down payment help that is forgivable after a required residency period, typically three to five years. Income limits often align well with a $70,000 salary. This is especially true in higher-cost markets where 80% of area median income exceeds $70,000 for a single-person household. Eligibility varies. Some programs require first-time buyer status; others apply to any buyer within the income limits.
Is $70K a Good Salary to Buy a House?
At $70,000 per year, you earn above the national median for full-time workers. But the U.S. median home price of roughly $400,000 in 2026 means homeownership is a financial stretch in most major markets at this income.
How $70K Compares to the National Median Income
Per median weekly earnings for full-time U.S. workers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median income for full-time workers is roughly $65,470. At $70,000, you earn about 7% above that benchmark. Single-person median income runs around $42,000, making $70,000 roughly 67% above the single-earner median. The salary is above average by most national measures. The challenge is that home prices have outpaced income growth in the majority of U.S. markets.
Markets Where $70K Makes Homeownership Comfortable
In lower-cost metros including Cleveland, Memphis, Tulsa, Birmingham, and Pittsburgh, a $70,000 salary supports home purchases well within the 28% front-end guideline. Median home prices in these cities range from $175,000 to $220,000. That requires annual income of $53,000 to $60,000 to meet the 28% standard. A $70,000 earner in these markets has real financial breathing room. For readers weighing homeownership against other wealth-building paths, see our guide on real estate investing pros and cons to understand the full trade-off.
Markets Where $70K Makes Homeownership Very Difficult
Per national median home sale price data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the U.S. median home price in 2026 is roughly $400,000. Meeting the 28% guideline at that price with 20% down and a 7% rate requires annual income of roughly $90,000 to $100,000. In coastal markets like San Francisco (median roughly $1.2 million), Seattle (roughly $750,000), and New York City (roughly $750,000), $70,000 covers less than a third of the income typically needed to buy at the median. Renting and building savings is usually the more practical near-term choice in those markets.
If you own a home in one of these high-cost markets and are thinking about selling to relocate somewhere more affordable, your equity could fund a large down payment in a lower-cost metro. That would dramatically expand how much house you can afford in your next location.
If you own a home and are calculating how much you can afford to buy next, your current home’s equity is likely your largest source of down payment capital. Selling through a marketplace that brings competing cash offers means you close in 7 to 30 days rather than 60 to 90. You enter your next purchase without a sale contingency that often costs you the deal in a competitive market. You know your exact net proceeds before you make your next offer. Compare cash offers from multiple vetted buyers at iBuyer.com and move forward with a clear number in hand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
On a $70,000 salary, you can typically afford a home between $180,000 and $360,000, depending on your debts, credit score, interest rate, and down payment. The 28/36 rule limits your monthly housing costs to $1,633 per month (28% of $5,833 gross monthly income). A buyer with no other debts and 20% down reaches the upper end; a buyer with car payments and 5% down lands near the lower end.
A $300,000 house is possible on a $70,000 salary with 20% down, minimal other debts, and a rate at or below 7%. At 7% with 20% down, principal and interest runs roughly $1,597 per month on a $240,000 loan. Adding taxes and insurance typically pushes total PITI to $1,900 to $2,100, which exceeds the 28% guideline. Most lenders cite $75,000 to $95,000 per year as the comfortable income floor for a $300,000 purchase. The answer is a conditional yes, it depends on carrying minimal other debt.
A $400,000 home is generally not affordable on a $70,000 salary under standard lending guidelines. Those guidelines cap housing costs at $1,633 per month for this income. At 7% with 20% down, principal and interest alone equals about $2,129 per month, already exceeding both the 28% and 36% thresholds. Most lenders require $80,000 to $135,000 per year for a $400,000 purchase. A 30% or larger down payment with zero other debts could make it technically possible but leaves almost no financial buffer.
The 28/36 rule states that monthly housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross income and total monthly debt should not exceed 36%. For a $70,000 salary, 28% of $5,833 gross monthly income equals $1,633 per month for PITI; 36% equals $2,100 per month for all debt combined. Lenders may approve a higher debt-to-income ratio with strong credit or cash reserves, but qualifying at a higher ratio does not always mean the payment is comfortable.
Most conventional loans require a minimum 620 credit score, but a 740 score gives the best rates and adds roughly $20,000 to $40,000 in buying power. The difference between a 620 and 720 score typically means a 0.5% to 0.75% rate difference on a 30-year loan. FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down, making them more accessible for buyers still building their credit history.
The minimum down payment is 3.5% for FHA loans and 3% to 5% for conventional loans. But 20% removes the monthly PMI cost that reduces your affordable home price. On a $250,000 home, 3.5% down equals $8,750; 20% down equals $50,000. PMI on a 5%-down conventional loan typically adds $100 to $200 per month, which at $70,000 reduces the home price you can support by $15,000 to $20,000.
Each $100 per month in existing debt reduces your maximum home price by roughly $10,000 to $15,000 on a $70K salary. If you carry $400 per month in car payments and $200 per month in student loans, your housing allowance under the 36% DTI cap is $1,500 per month. That falls below the 28% limit of $1,633. Eliminating $600 per month in debt before applying can add $60,000 to $80,000 to your affordable price.
At $70,000, you earn above the national full-time worker median, but the $400,000 U.S. median home price in 2026 makes homeownership a stretch in most markets. In lower-cost metros like Memphis, Cleveland, and Tulsa, $70,000 buys a solid home within the 28% front-end guideline. In coastal markets like San Francisco, Seattle, or New York City, $70,000 covers less than a third of the income typically needed to afford median-priced homes.
On a $70,000 salary, your maximum monthly housing budget under the 28% guideline is $1,633, covering principal, interest, taxes, and homeowners insurance combined. After budgeting $200 to $400 per month for property taxes and $100 to $150 per month for insurance, your remaining principal-and-interest allowance is roughly $1,083 to $1,333 per month. At 7%, that P&I budget supports a loan of roughly $163,000 to $200,000.
Most lenders will qualify you for a mortgage of $175,000 to $280,000 on a $70,000 salary with minimal other debts. At 7% over 30 years, a $175,000 loan produces P&I of $1,164 per month; a $280,000 loan produces P&I of $1,863 per month. The lower figure fits comfortably under the 28% rule with room for taxes and insurance. The higher figure uses the full 36% cap and assumes very low other debts. The approved amount is not the same as the comfortable amount.
Every 1% increase in mortgage rate reduces your home-buying budget by roughly $25,000 to $35,000 on a $70,000 salary. At 6%, your $1,633 monthly budget supports a home of roughly $235,000 to $250,000 with 20% down. At 7%, the same budget supports roughly $200,000 to $215,000. At 7.5%, the ceiling drops further. Improving your credit score is the most direct lever for getting a lower rate, which compounds into tens of thousands of dollars in extra buying power.
A $300,000 house is not affordable on a $60,000 salary. The 28% guideline limits housing costs to $1,400 per month on that income. At $60,000 gross income, monthly gross equals $5,000 and the 28% cap equals $1,400 per month. A $300,000 home at 7% with 20% down produces P&I of $1,597 per month, already above the limit before taxes and insurance. You would need zero other debts, a score above 740, and a down payment well above 20% to make the lender math work, and even then the monthly margin is extremely thin.
On a $70,000 salary, you may qualify for FHA loans with 3.5% down, Fannie Mae HomeReady, Freddie Mac Home Possible, and state-level assistance programs. FHA loans allow a debt-to-income ratio up to 57% with strong credit, making them more accessible for $70K earners who carry some existing debt. HomeReady and Home Possible are available to buyers at or below 80% of area median income. HUD’s online database lists down payment assistance programs by state, with grants from $5,000 to $25,000 that may be forgivable after a required residency period.
Buying beats renting on $70,000 when total ownership costs stay within 15% of comparable rents and you plan to stay three or more years. In markets where a $200,000 to $250,000 home is realistic and comparable rentals cost $1,400 to $1,700 per month, the buy-versus-rent math typically favors ownership within three years. In markets where median home prices exceed $500,000, renting on $70,000 is usually the more practical near-term choice. The breakeven point shifts out to seven years or more when prices are that far above what the 28% guideline supports.
Reilly Dzurick is a licensed real estate agent with over six years of experience and a member of the iBuyer.com Market Insights Team, covering national trends in home selling and the evolving iBuyer landscape. Her firsthand experience working with buyers and sellers gives her a practical perspective on how these platforms impact real homeowners. She holds a degree in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.