Taking out a mortgage is a big financial move. Not only will it result in what’s likely your biggest monthly expense to date, but it can also have a major impact on your credit score. Stay on top of your payments and make them on time, every time, and you’ll see a credit boost. Fall behind, and your score could plummet — or you might even face foreclosure.
This is why it’s critical to understand the costs of your loan before signing on that dotted line. You should know what payments you’ll owe, how much interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan, and how the new mortgage could impact your personal finances.
Are you preparing to take out a $300,000 mortgage? Here are the costs you should prep for before you do.
In this article:
Monthly mortgage payments on a $300,000 home loan
The exact cost of a mortgage for a $300,000 house depends on the interest rate you get. For example, a $300,000 mortgage payment over 30 years at a 7% rate would come to about $1,996 toward your and interest. If the interest rate were lower, the monthly payment would be reduced as well.
Here’s the monthly payment on a $300,000, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at various interest rate levels.
These monthly payments do not include costs for homeowners insurance, property taxes, private mortgage insurance (PMI), or homeowners’ association dues. Use our to add these monthly costs to your payment estimate.
Keep in mind these costs are just on 30-year mortgage loans. If you were to choose a 15-year loan instead, the payments would be higher. Here’s what the monthly payment on a $300,000, 15-year loan would look like at different interest rates.
Interest costs on a $300,000 mortgage
Again, the interest you’ll pay on a $300,000 home loan will depend on the you qualify for. With a 7% rate, as in the above example, you’d pay $418,527 over a 30-year period.
Here’s what your total interest costs would look like with different interest rates:
As you can see, the difference in total interest costs can be significant — even with just a small rate drop. (Getting a 6% rate versus a 7% one would save you more than $70,000.)
Keep in mind that are amortized, allowing you to make the same payment toward principal and interest every month for the full term of your loan. Because of this, you pay more toward interest at the beginning of the loan term and less toward the end of it.
See below what the amortization schedule would look like on a 30-year $300,000 mortgage at a 7% interest rate.
$300,000 mortgage payment FAQs
How much per month is a $300,000 mortgage?
The monthly payment on a $300,000 mortgage depends on what interest rate you get and the term you choose. On a 30-year loan at a 7% rate, it would be $1,996 per month toward your principal and interest. Keep in mind that you also have to pay for expenses such as homeowners insurance and property taxes each month.
What income is needed for a $300,000 mortgage?
The income you’ll need for a $300,000 mortgage varies based on the interest rate you get and the term you choose. You also must meet the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) requirements of your loan program.
What credit score is needed to buy a $300,000 house?
Credit score requirements vary by loan product. For conventional loans, you’ll usually need at least a 620 credit score to qualify. For FHA loans, it’s 580 with a 3.5% down payment and 500 with a 10% down payment. Lenders can set credit score minimums higher than these if they choose.
Can I afford a $300,000 house?
The best way to determine if you can afford a $300,000 house is to get preapproved for a mortgage. This will let you know what loan amount and interest rate you could qualify for and what monthly payment the loan would likely come with.