Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

This comprehensive home-buying readiness assessment evaluates your preparedness across five critical areas: Financial Stability (income, debt-to-income ratio, employment history), Credit Health (credit score, payment history), Savings & Down Payment (emergency fund, down payment percentage), Lifestyle Readiness (location stability, life stage), and Market Knowledge (understanding of costs, mortgage options). Your overall readiness score ranges from 'Ready to Buy' to 'Start Preparing' with specific action items for each area needing improvement.

Readiness

Try the Quiz

🏠 Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
Let's assess your financial foundation
 
 
Credit affects your mortgage rate
 
 
How much have you saved?
 
 
Is this the right time in your life?
 
How prepared are you for the process?
 
Here's where you stand
0%
🌱 Early Stage
You're early in your home buying journey. Focus on financial fundamentals first: stable income, building credit, and starting to save.
📊 Category Breakdown (click to expand)
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Work on Income & Debt to improve your readiness.
We'll send you personalized next steps
 
 
 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
export function homeBuyingReadinessQuiz(form: FormTs) {
form.setTitle(() => '🏠 Are You Ready to Buy a Home?');
 
// ========== STATE ==========
type CategoryKey = 'financial' | 'credit' | 'savings' | 'stability' | 'knowledge';
 
const scores = form.state<Record<CategoryKey, number>>({
financial: 0,
credit: 0,
savings: 0,
stability: 0,
knowledge: 0
});
 
// ========== SCORING FUNCTIONS ==========
const updateScore = (category: CategoryKey, points: number) => {
scores.update(current => ({
...current,
[category]: (current[category] || 0) + points
}));
};
 
const getTotalScore = () => {
const s = scores();
return (Object.values(s) as number[]).reduce((sum: number, val: number) => sum + val, 0);
};
 
const getMaxScore = () => 100;
const getScorePercentage = () => Math.round((getTotalScore() / getMaxScore()) * 100);
 
const getReadinessLevel = (): 'ready' | 'almost' | 'preparing' | 'building' | 'starting' => {
const pct = getScorePercentage();
if (pct >= 80) return 'ready';
if (pct >= 65) return 'almost';
if (pct >= 50) return 'preparing';
if (pct >= 35) return 'building';
return 'starting';
};
 
const getReadinessLabel = () => {
const level = getReadinessLevel();
const labels = {
ready: '🎉 Ready to Buy!',
almost: '📈 Almost There',
preparing: '🔧 Preparing Well',
building: '🏗️ Building Foundation',
starting: '🌱 Early Stage'
};
return labels[level];
};
 
const getReadinessDescription = () => {
const level = getReadinessLevel();
const descriptions = {
ready: 'Congratulations! You appear to be in a strong position to buy a home. You have the financial stability, savings, and knowledge to navigate the home buying process.',
almost: 'You\'re very close to being ready. Focus on strengthening your weaker areas, and you should be ready to buy within 3-6 months.',
preparing: 'You\'re making good progress. Keep building your savings and improving your credit. You could be ready in 6-12 months.',
building: 'You\'re laying the groundwork. Focus on the basics: emergency fund, credit improvement, and debt reduction. Plan for 12-18 months.',
starting: 'You\'re early in your home buying journey. Focus on financial fundamentals first: stable income, building credit, and starting to save.'
};
return descriptions[level];
};
 
const getCategoryScore = (category: CategoryKey) => {
const s = scores();
const maxPerCategory = 20;
return Math.round((s[category] / maxPerCategory) * 100);
};
 
const getWeakestArea = (): CategoryKey => {
const s = scores();
const entries = Object.entries(s) as [CategoryKey, number][];
const sorted = entries.sort((a, b) => a[1] - b[1]);
return sorted[0]?.[0] || 'savings';
};
 
const getCategoryLabel = (category: CategoryKey) => {
const labels: Record<CategoryKey, string> = {
financial: 'Income & Debt',
credit: 'Credit Score',
savings: 'Down Payment & Savings',
stability: 'Life Stability',
knowledge: 'Market Knowledge'
};
return labels[category];
};
 
// ========== COMPLETION SCREEN ==========
form.configureCompletionScreen({
type: 'text',
title: () => `🏠 ${getReadinessLabel()}`,
message: () => `Your home buying readiness score is ${getScorePercentage()}%. ${getReadinessDescription()} Check your email for your personalized action plan.`
});
 
// ========== PAGES ==========
const pages = form.addPages('quiz-pages', { heightMode: 'current-page' });
 
// ========== PAGE 1: Financial ==========
const page1 = pages.addPage('financial', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header1', {
label: 'Step 1 of 6: Income & Debt',
computedValue: () => 'Let\'s assess your financial foundation',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page1.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('income', {
label: 'How would you describe your income?',
options: [
{ id: 'stable', name: 'Stable salary for 2+ years' },
{ id: 'growing', name: 'Stable with recent growth' },
{ id: 'new', name: 'New job (less than 2 years)' },
{ id: 'variable', name: 'Variable/self-employed' },
{ id: 'unstable', name: 'Currently between jobs or unstable' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'stable') updateScore('financial', 10);
else if (v === 'growing') updateScore('financial', 10);
else if (v === 'new') updateScore('financial', 6);
else if (v === 'variable') updateScore('financial', 5);
else if (v === 'unstable') updateScore('financial', 1);
}
});
});
 
page1.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('dti', {
label: 'What\'s your debt-to-income ratio (monthly debt / monthly income)?',
options: [
{ id: 'low', name: 'Under 20% - minimal debt' },
{ id: 'moderate', name: '20-35% - manageable' },
{ id: 'high', name: '36-43% - getting tight' },
{ id: 'very_high', name: 'Over 43% - too much debt' },
{ id: 'unsure', name: 'Not sure' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
tooltip: 'Lenders prefer DTI under 43%. Include car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'low') updateScore('financial', 10);
else if (v === 'moderate') updateScore('financial', 8);
else if (v === 'high') updateScore('financial', 4);
else if (v === 'very_high') updateScore('financial', 1);
else if (v === 'unsure') updateScore('financial', 3);
}
});
});
 
// ========== PAGE 2: Credit ==========
const page2 = pages.addPage('credit', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header2', {
label: 'Step 2 of 6: Credit Score',
computedValue: () => 'Credit affects your mortgage rate',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page2.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('creditScore', {
label: 'What\'s your credit score?',
options: [
{ id: 'excellent', name: '760+ (Excellent)' },
{ id: 'good', name: '700-759 (Good)' },
{ id: 'fair', name: '650-699 (Fair)' },
{ id: 'poor', name: '600-649 (Poor)' },
{ id: 'bad', name: 'Below 600 (Very Poor)' },
{ id: 'unsure', name: 'I don\'t know my score' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'excellent') updateScore('credit', 10);
else if (v === 'good') updateScore('credit', 8);
else if (v === 'fair') updateScore('credit', 5);
else if (v === 'poor') updateScore('credit', 3);
else if (v === 'bad') updateScore('credit', 1);
else if (v === 'unsure') updateScore('credit', 2);
}
});
});
 
page2.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('creditHistory', {
label: 'Any negative credit events in the last 2 years?',
options: [
{ id: 'clean', name: 'No - clean credit history' },
{ id: 'minor', name: 'Minor late payments' },
{ id: 'major', name: 'Collections or charge-offs' },
{ id: 'bankruptcy', name: 'Bankruptcy or foreclosure' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'clean') updateScore('credit', 10);
else if (v === 'minor') updateScore('credit', 6);
else if (v === 'major') updateScore('credit', 3);
else if (v === 'bankruptcy') updateScore('credit', 1);
}
});
});
 
// ========== PAGE 3: Savings ==========
const page3 = pages.addPage('savings', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header3', {
label: 'Step 3 of 6: Down Payment & Savings',
computedValue: () => 'How much have you saved?',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page3.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('downPayment', {
label: 'How much do you have saved for a down payment?',
options: [
{ id: 'twenty', name: '20%+ of target home price' },
{ id: 'fifteen', name: '10-20% of target price' },
{ id: 'ten', name: '5-10% of target price' },
{ id: 'low', name: '3-5% of target price' },
{ id: 'none', name: 'Less than 3%' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
tooltip: '20% avoids PMI. 3-5% minimum for most loans.',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'twenty') updateScore('savings', 10);
else if (v === 'fifteen') updateScore('savings', 8);
else if (v === 'ten') updateScore('savings', 6);
else if (v === 'low') updateScore('savings', 4);
else if (v === 'none') updateScore('savings', 1);
}
});
});
 
page3.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('emergency', {
label: 'Do you have an emergency fund beyond the down payment?',
options: [
{ id: 'sixmonths', name: '6+ months of expenses' },
{ id: 'threemonths', name: '3-6 months of expenses' },
{ id: 'some', name: '1-3 months of expenses' },
{ id: 'minimal', name: 'Less than 1 month' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
tooltip: 'Lenders want to see reserves after closing. Homes have unexpected costs.',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'sixmonths') updateScore('savings', 10);
else if (v === 'threemonths') updateScore('savings', 7);
else if (v === 'some') updateScore('savings', 4);
else if (v === 'minimal') updateScore('savings', 1);
}
});
});
 
// ========== PAGE 4: Stability ==========
const page4 = pages.addPage('stability', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header4', {
label: 'Step 4 of 6: Life Stability',
computedValue: () => 'Is this the right time in your life?',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page4.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('stayDuration', {
label: 'How long do you plan to stay in this home?',
options: [
{ id: 'longtime', name: '7+ years' },
{ id: 'medium', name: '5-7 years' },
{ id: 'short', name: '3-5 years' },
{ id: 'unsure', name: 'Less than 3 years or unsure' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
tooltip: 'Generally need 5+ years to break even on buying vs renting.',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'longtime') updateScore('stability', 10);
else if (v === 'medium') updateScore('stability', 8);
else if (v === 'short') updateScore('stability', 4);
else if (v === 'unsure') updateScore('stability', 2);
}
});
});
 
page4.addRow(row => {
row.addSuggestionChips('lifeChanges', {
label: 'Any major life changes expected in 1-2 years?',
suggestions: [
{ id: 'none', name: '✅ None expected' },
{ id: 'job', name: '💼 Job change/move' },
{ id: 'family', name: '👶 Growing family' },
{ id: 'marriage', name: '💍 Marriage/divorce' },
{ id: 'retire', name: '🏖️ Retirement' }
],
onValueChange: (v) => {
const picks = v || [];
if (picks.includes('none')) updateScore('stability', 10);
else if (picks.includes('family')) updateScore('stability', 6);
else if (picks.includes('marriage')) updateScore('stability', 4);
else if (picks.includes('job')) updateScore('stability', 2);
else if (picks.includes('retire')) updateScore('stability', 5);
}
});
});
 
// ========== PAGE 5: Knowledge ==========
const page5 = pages.addPage('knowledge', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header5', {
label: 'Step 5 of 6: Market Knowledge',
computedValue: () => 'How prepared are you for the process?',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page5.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('preapproval', {
label: 'Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage?',
options: [
{ id: 'yes', name: 'Yes, I have a pre-approval letter' },
{ id: 'prequalified', name: 'Pre-qualified (not full pre-approval)' },
{ id: 'researching', name: 'Researching lenders but not applied' },
{ id: 'no', name: 'Haven\'t started this process' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
onValueChange: (v) => {
if (v === 'yes') updateScore('knowledge', 10);
else if (v === 'prequalified') updateScore('knowledge', 7);
else if (v === 'researching') updateScore('knowledge', 4);
else if (v === 'no') updateScore('knowledge', 1);
}
});
});
 
page5.addRow(row => {
row.addSuggestionChips('completed', {
label: 'Which steps have you completed?',
suggestions: [
{ id: 'budget', name: '📊 Set budget' },
{ id: 'area', name: '📍 Chosen area' },
{ id: 'agent', name: '🏠 Found agent' },
{ id: 'toured', name: '👀 Toured homes' },
{ id: 'costs', name: '💰 Know closing costs' }
],
onValueChange: (v) => {
const count = (v || []).length;
updateScore('knowledge', Math.min(count * 2, 10));
}
});
});
 
// ========== PAGE 6: Results ==========
const page6 = pages.addPage('results', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page6.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header6', {
label: 'Step 6 of 6: Your Readiness Score',
computedValue: () => 'Here\'s where you stand',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page6.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page6.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('mainScore', {
label: 'Home Buying Readiness',
computedValue: () => `${getScorePercentage()}%`,
customStyles: () => {
const score = getScorePercentage();
return {
fontSize: '56px',
fontWeight: 'bold',
textAlign: 'center',
padding: '20px',
borderRadius: '12px',
color: score >= 65 ? '#059669' : score >= 50 ? '#ca8a04' : '#dc2626',
background: score >= 65 ? '#ecfdf5' : score >= 50 ? '#fefce8' : '#fef2f2'
};
}
});
});
 
page6.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('readinessLevel', {
label: '',
computedValue: () => getReadinessLabel(),
customStyles: { textAlign: 'center', fontSize: '24px', fontWeight: 'bold', padding: '10px' }
});
});
 
page6.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('description', {
label: '',
computedValue: () => getReadinessDescription(),
customStyles: { textAlign: 'center', padding: '15px', background: '#f9fafb', borderRadius: '8px' }
});
});
 
const categorySection = page6.addSubform('categoryBreakdown', {
title: '📊 Category Breakdown (click to expand)',
isCollapsible: true,
customStyles: { background: '#f9fafb', borderRadius: '8px', marginTop: '20px' }
});
 
categorySection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('financialScore', {
label: '💼 Income & Debt',
computedValue: () => `${getCategoryScore('financial')}%`,
customStyles: () => ({
padding: '10px',
background: getCategoryScore('financial') >= 60 ? '#ecfdf5' : '#fef2f2',
borderRadius: '4px'
})
});
row.addTextPanel('creditScore', {
label: '📊 Credit',
computedValue: () => `${getCategoryScore('credit')}%`,
customStyles: () => ({
padding: '10px',
background: getCategoryScore('credit') >= 60 ? '#ecfdf5' : '#fef2f2',
borderRadius: '4px'
})
});
});
 
categorySection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('savingsScore', {
label: '💰 Savings',
computedValue: () => `${getCategoryScore('savings')}%`,
customStyles: () => ({
padding: '10px',
background: getCategoryScore('savings') >= 60 ? '#ecfdf5' : '#fef2f2',
borderRadius: '4px'
})
});
row.addTextPanel('stabilityScore', {
label: '🏠 Stability',
computedValue: () => `${getCategoryScore('stability')}%`,
customStyles: () => ({
padding: '10px',
background: getCategoryScore('stability') >= 60 ? '#ecfdf5' : '#fef2f2',
borderRadius: '4px'
})
});
});
 
categorySection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('knowledgeScore', {
label: '📚 Knowledge',
computedValue: () => `${getCategoryScore('knowledge')}%`,
customStyles: () => ({
padding: '10px',
background: getCategoryScore('knowledge') >= 60 ? '#ecfdf5' : '#fef2f2',
borderRadius: '4px'
})
});
row.addEmpty('1fr');
});
 
page6.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('focusArea', {
label: '🎯 Priority Focus',
computedValue: () => `Work on ${getCategoryLabel(getWeakestArea())} to improve your readiness.`,
customStyles: { padding: '15px', background: '#fef3c7', borderRadius: '8px', marginTop: '15px' }
});
});
 
// ========== PAGE 7: Lead Capture ==========
const page7 = pages.addPage('lead-capture', { mobileBreakpoint: 500 });
 
page7.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header7', {
label: 'Get Your Home Buying Action Plan',
computedValue: () => 'We\'ll send you personalized next steps',
customStyles: { fontSize: '0.9rem', color: '#6b7280', marginBottom: '1rem' }
});
});
 
page7.addSpacer({ height: '24px' });
 
page7.addRow(row => {
row.addTextbox('name', { label: 'Your Name', isRequired: true, placeholder: 'Jane Smith' }, '1fr');
row.addEmail('email', { label: 'Email', isRequired: true, placeholder: 'jane@email.com' }, '1fr');
});
 
page7.addRow(row => {
row.addTextbox('phone', { label: 'Phone (optional)', placeholder: '(555) 123-4567' }, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('timeline', {
label: 'When do you hope to buy?',
options: [
{ id: 'asap', name: 'As soon as possible' },
{ id: '6months', name: 'Within 6 months' },
{ id: '1year', name: 'Within 1 year' },
{ id: 'later', name: '1-2 years' },
{ id: 'unsure', name: 'Just exploring' }
]
}, '1fr');
});
 
page7.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckboxList('consent', {
options: [
{ id: 'plan', name: '📄 Send me my personalized action plan', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'lender', name: '🏦 Connect me with a mortgage lender' },
{ id: 'agent', name: '🏠 Help me find a buyer\'s agent' }
],
defaultValue: ['plan'],
orientation: 'vertical'
});
});
 
// ========== SUBMIT BUTTON ==========
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: () => `🏠 Get My Action Plan (Score: ${getScorePercentage()}%)`
});
 
// ========== PDF REPORT ==========
form.configurePdf('home-buying-report', pdf => {
pdf.configure({
filename: 'home-buying-readiness-report.pdf',
pageSize: 'A4',
allowUserDownload: true,
downloadButtonLabel: '🏠 Download Action Plan',
header: {
title: 'Home Buying Readiness',
subtitle: 'Your Personalized Action Plan'
},
footer: {
text: 'Generated by FormTs',
showPageNumbers: true
}
});
 
pdf.addSection('Your Readiness Score', section => {
section.addRow(row => {
row.addField('Overall Score', `${getScorePercentage()}%`);
row.addField('Status', getReadinessLabel());
});
section.addText(getReadinessDescription());
});
 
pdf.addSection('Category Breakdown', section => {
section.addTable(
['Category', 'Score', 'Status'],
[
['Income & Debt', `${getCategoryScore('financial')}%`, getCategoryScore('financial') >= 60 ? '✅' : '⚠️'],
['Credit Score', `${getCategoryScore('credit')}%`, getCategoryScore('credit') >= 60 ? '✅' : '⚠️'],
['Savings', `${getCategoryScore('savings')}%`, getCategoryScore('savings') >= 60 ? '✅' : '⚠️'],
['Life Stability', `${getCategoryScore('stability')}%`, getCategoryScore('stability') >= 60 ? '✅' : '⚠️'],
['Market Knowledge', `${getCategoryScore('knowledge')}%`, getCategoryScore('knowledge') >= 60 ? '✅' : '⚠️']
]
);
});
 
pdf.addPageBreak();
 
pdf.addSection('Your Action Plan', section => {
section.addText(`Priority Focus: ${getCategoryLabel(getWeakestArea())}`);
section.addSpacer(10);
section.addText('1. Check your credit report for errors (free at annualcreditreport.com)');
section.addText('2. Calculate your target home price (2.5-3x annual income)');
section.addText('3. Get pre-approved by 2-3 lenders to compare rates');
section.addText('4. Save for down payment + closing costs (2-5% of price)');
section.addText('5. Build emergency fund for unexpected home costs');
section.addText('6. Research neighborhoods and interview real estate agents');
});
 
pdf.addSection('Important Numbers', section => {
section.addText('• Minimum credit score: 620 (conventional), 580 (FHA)');
section.addText('• Ideal debt-to-income: Under 36% (max 43%)');
section.addText('• Down payment: 3-20% (20% avoids PMI)');
section.addText('• Closing costs: 2-5% of home price');
section.addText('• Reserves needed: 2-6 months mortgage payments');
});
});
 
form.configureSubmitBehavior({ sendToServer: true });
}
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to buy a home?

Minimum scores vary by loan type: Conventional loans typically require 620+, FHA loans accept 580+ (or 500+ with 10% down), VA loans have no minimum but lenders often require 620+. Higher scores (740+) qualify for the best interest rates.

How much should I save for a down payment?

While 20% down avoids PMI (private mortgage insurance), many buyers put down less. FHA loans require 3.5% minimum, conventional loans can go as low as 3%. However, more down payment means lower monthly payments and better loan terms.

What debt-to-income ratio do lenders want?

Most lenders prefer a DTI (debt-to-income) ratio below 43%, though some loan programs allow up to 50%. This includes your future mortgage payment plus all other monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income.

What hidden costs should I budget for?

Beyond down payment, budget for: closing costs (2-5% of loan amount), home inspection ($300-500), appraisal ($300-600), moving expenses, immediate repairs/improvements, and ongoing costs like property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance (1-2% of home value annually).