Buying your first home is the biggest math problem of your life so far — and the industry profits when you skip it. These tools show the real monthly payment, the real total cost, and exactly how to save the down payment.
Lenders approve up to ~43% debt-to-income, but comfortable is closer to 28% of gross monthly income on housing. On a $75K salary that is about $1,750/month — and remember P&I is only part of it: taxes, insurance, and maintenance typically add 20–40% on top.
Run both: FHA gets you in at 3.5% down but adds mortgage insurance for the loan's life in most cases — often $200+/month. Saving 20% avoids it but delays you years while prices move. The FHA and standard mortgage calculators show the monthly difference; the savings goal calculator shows the timeline difference.
On a $300K loan at 6.5%, the 30-year costs ~$382K in interest; the 15-year roughly $171K — a $211K difference for a payment about $650/month higher. If the higher payment fits under the 28% rule comfortably, the 15-year is the best forced savings plan in America.