How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (2024)

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Published Date: March 5, 2024

How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (5)
Ever caught yourself daydreaming about living in a million-dollar home, only to dismiss it as a far-fetched idea? Well, contrary to popular belief, owning a million-dollar abode isn't just for the super-rich.If owning a million-dollar home is one of your life goals, you’re not alone. With some clever planning, a sprinkle of financial savvy and a pinch of determination, you may turn that dream home into a reality.

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We’ll examine what it takes to afford a million-dollar home, including annual income, mortgage payments and other ownership costs. While learning how to afford a million-dollar home, you’ll also see the unexpected costs, tax implications and possible advantages of buying a million-dollar vacation home.

What annual salary do you need to afford a million-dollar house?

To comfortably afford a home valued at $1 million, financial experts recommend an annual salary between $269,000 and $366,000.This range, however, is subject to variation depending on your:
  • Annual income
  • Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
  • Credit score
  • Available down payment
  • Current interest rates
How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (17)
It’s crucial to consider these factors to determine your financial ability to manage a mortgage on a $1 million home. Your income may ultimately decide if you rent or buy the home.

Example: If you put down 20% ($200,000) and have few monthly expenses, you can likely secure a mortgage with a good interest rate (say, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 7%). This would bring your monthly mortgage payment to about $5,300 before factoring in property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Even if your after-tax earnings are $200,000 annually, that’s still a quarter of your income going just to principal and interest. If your credit is low or your down payment isn’t as high, expect the monthly cost to be substantially more.With a 20% down payment, typical closing costs can be more than 2%, meaning an additional $16,000 on top of the $200,000 you’ll put down. That initial payment, DTI and credit score will determine your monthly mortgage.

Expected and unexpected expenses of owning a million-dollar home

It’s important to plan for expenses beyond the mortgage. Here are a few things to factor in: mortgage insurance, property taxes and possible HOA fees.Although mortgage insurance isn’t always necessary, your lender may require it if you supply a low down payment. If you put less than 20% down on a home, most lenders require private mortgage insurance (PMI). This can cost over 1% of the value of your loan. If you put down $200,000, you would likely need to pay an additional $375 monthly for PMI.Property taxes are also an important factor to consider. Rates are set by local jurisdictions so check with your real estate agent. The average national property tax rate is about 1%, so an extra $10,000 per year, or $833 per month, for a million-dollar home.If your neighborhood has a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll be charged monthly HOA fees on top of your mortgage. HOAs have additional regulations and codes agreed upon by neighbors. You may also need to seek approval for certain projects or renovations.In addition to the expense above, consider the cost of
  • Home and yard maintenance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Possible property management
It’s important to know what to expect so you can factor all expenses into your finance plan.

Tax implications of a million-dollar home

You might not anticipate how your new home will affect your income taxes. For example, you can lose potential tax savings if your mortgage interest exceeds the current deduction threshold.The mortgage interest tax deduction has a limit of $750,000, which means that if you put down less than $250,000, you will incur “lost” tax savings each year until your principal loan balance drops below $750,000.If you decide to rent out your $1 million second home, you won’t be able to claim the mortgage interest deduction, but you could end up with tax-free rental income due to the various deductions for landlords. However, this can be a complicated adjustment, and finding renters and managing a rental — or short-term rental property — can be a hassle.

Financing strategies: How to buy a million-dollar house

Financing a mortgage on a million-dollar home doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there are three financing strategies available for those who have the income for a million-dollar home.
How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (18)
Paying interest on a large loan may seem intimidating, but with these financing tools, you’re one step closer to your million-dollar dream home.

Large down payments

Paying a larger down payment upfront can help you minimize the amount of interest you’ll pay on your principal. Although 20% is generally expected by lenders, providing more can help make your bid more competitive and potentially lower your mortgage payments.

Jumbo mortgages

If your home’s price exceeds the conventional loan limits set by your state — generally over one million dollars — you may require financing via a jumbo loan. These non-conforming loans may require a down payment of as little as 5% and are not subject to limits set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Check with your county and lender to see if you qualify for a jumbo mortgage.

Home equity loans

A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may help current homeowners pay for a mortgage on a million-dollar house. These financing tools work by leveraging the equity of your primary residence as a means of financing when buying a second home.

Simplified ownership of a million-dollar second home

And what if your million-dollar dream home is for vacations, not your primary residence? Those are hefty expenses for a home that you won’t use year-round. This is why many second home buyers are opting for co-ownership.
How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (19)
Pacaso offers a modern way to buy a million-dollar second home. Our LLC model lets you co-own a luxury second home for as little as one-eighth of the home’s price, increasing your buying power and allowing you to own more house for less money. Pacaso takes care of the home’s maintenance, bill payments and management.

Co-ownership

Prospective second home owners are embracing Pacaso’s fully managed LLC co-ownership model. It offers the benefits of real estate ownership at a lower cost than whole home ownership and without property maintenance and management hassles.

Hassle-free second home ownership

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  • PacasoOwn now$795,0001/8 ownership3 bds3.5 ba185 N Glenwood St # 3, Jackson, WY 83001 5% Financing
  • PacasoOwn now$359,0001/8 ownership4 bds4 ba72985 Somera Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260 5% Financing
  • PacasoOwn now$1,099,0001/8 ownership4 bds5 ba1131 Las Alturas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
  • PacasoOwn now$639,0001/8 ownership4 bds3.5 ba3688 Bayside Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
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  • PacasoOwn now$476,0001/8 ownership4 bds3 ba325 Woodridge Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 0% Financing
  • PacasoOwn now$599,0001/8 ownership4 bds4 ba3095 Mountain Links Way, Olympic Valley, CA 96146 5% Financing
  • PacasoOwn nowPrice drop$899,0001/8 ownership5 bds4 ba1101 Olive Hill Ln, Napa, CA 94558 5% Financing
  • PacasoOwn now$799,0001/8 ownership5 bds4 ba1090 1st Ave, Napa, CA 94558 5% Financing
  • PacasoOwn now$499,0001/8 ownership4 bds3 ba3705 Haines St, San Diego, CA 92109 5% Financing

    View all

Thanks to our transparent pricing model, you won’t be surprised by added expenses. And with our banking partners, Pacaso offers buyers access to a competitive-rate mortgage for up to 70% of the home’s share price.You can easily and equitably book time in your home two days to two years in advance. Pacaso homes are used exclusively by owners and their guests and are never get rented. And each owner has their own secure storage space in the home, so packing is minimal. Check out our listings and learn more about how Pacaso can help you own the million-dollar home of your dreams.Learning how to afford a million-dollar home means keeping expected and unexpected expenses in mind, simplifying ownership responsibilities and finding the best financing strategies that work for your financial goals.

How to afford a million-dollar home FAQ

Is now a good time to buy a million-dollar home?

Your readiness to buy a million-dollar home depends on your personal finances.

How much do you need to make to afford a million-dollar home?

The annual income to afford a million-dollar home is between $269,000 and $366,000.

What is a good down payment for a 1 million-dollar house?

In general, a 20% down payment is recommended. Putting 20% of the home price down for a million-dollar home results in a $200,000 down payment.

What are the benefits of buying a million-dollar house?

Some benefits of buying a million-dollar house include potentially profiting from value appreciation and the ability to retire there when you’re ready to do so.

What is the 28% rule?

The 28% rule refers to the percentage of your gross monthly income you should consider spending on your housing costs. According to this rule, you should only use 28% of your salary for million-dollar home purchases.

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Tony Huynh

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How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (2024)

FAQs

How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso? ›

Pacaso offers a modern way to buy a million-dollar second home. Our LLC model lets you co-own a luxury second home for as little as one-eighth of the home's price, increasing your buying power and allowing you to own more house for less money. Pacaso takes care of the home's maintenance, bill payments and management.

How much should I make to afford a 1 million dollar house? ›

To determine how much money you need to earn annually to afford a one million dollar home based on the 2.5 times your income rule, you simply need to divide $1 million by 2.5. So, this rule suggests you need to earn $400,000 annually to afford a $1 million home.

How are people affording million dollar homes? ›

As Madan noted, when purchasing a high-value property, a jumbo loan may be necessary. These loans exceed the limits set by government-sponsored entities, making them suitable for million-dollar homes. Jumbo loans often require a strong credit score, a low debt-to-income ratio, and, typically, a higher down payment.

Can I buy a million dollar home with 100k salary? ›

And, here is the answer to the question: You need anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 in income to buy a $1 million dollar home right now. The reason there is so much variance is because there are so many factors that impact qualification, including: Size of down payment. Property tax rates.

What income do you need for an $800000 mortgage? ›

If you earn at least $240,000 to $300,000 a year, you may be able to afford an $800,000 mortgage, assuming you have no significant other debts. But the exact amount you can qualify to borrow — even if you're in that salary range or higher — will depend on several other variables, including your credit score.

Can I afford a million dollar home with 200k salary? ›

A homebuyer would need to earn nearly $200,000 annually to afford a $1 million mortgage. The number of homes in the United States valued at $1 million or more has steadily increased in recent years.

What is the average payment on a million dollar home? ›

Based on a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of around 6.9%, and accounting for required down payments and conforming loan limits, your base monthly mortgage payment on a million-dollar house would likely be between $5,000 and $6,500 if it's located in a typical U.S. city.

What percentage of people own a million dollar home? ›

Nearly one-in-ten U.S. homes are now worth at least $1 million. Analysis from Redfin has found that 8.2% of homes in America were million-dollar homes as of June 2023, nearing the June 2022 peak of 8.6%.

Do most millionaires own their homes? ›

Most have paid off their mortgages. In 2020, 58% of the state's equity millionaires owned their homes free and clear.

How do millionaires pay for houses? ›

To simplify things, rich people take out mortgages even though they don't need them because it is extremely profitable for them to do so. It really is that simple.

What is the 28/36 rule? ›

According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.

How much house can I afford if I make $36,000 a year? ›

On a salary of $36,000 per year, you can afford a house priced around $100,000-$110,000 with a monthly payment of just over $1,000. This assumes you have no other debts you're paying off, but also that you haven't been able to save much for a down payment.

What is 100K a year hourly? ›

$100,000 a year is how much an hour? If you make $100,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $48.08.

What credit score is needed to buy a 800K house? ›

Credit score needed to buy a house by mortgage type
Loan TypeMinimum Credit Score
Conventional loans620
FHA loans500 (with 10% down payment); 580 (with 3.5% down payment)
USDA loans640
VA loansThe VA has no minimum limit, but lenders generally like to see at least 620
1 more row
Jan 10, 2024

How much deposit do you need to borrow $800000? ›

The first deposit is typically 20% of the property purchase price, so for an $800,000 home, you'll typically be looking at a deposit of $160,000. You'll first want to compare home loans to set you off on the right foot – and ensure you won't get stung by higher-than-average interest rates.

What is the monthly payment on an 800K mortgage? ›

How much does an $800K house cost per month? Assuming you make a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year fixed loan with a 7.0 percent interest rate, Bankrate's mortgage calculator shows that your monthly principal and interest payment will be $4,257.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year? ›

If you make $70K a year, you can likely afford a new home between $290,000 and $310,000*. That translates to a monthly house payment between $2,000 and $2,500, which includes your monthly mortgage payment, taxes, and home insurance.

How much home can I afford with a 250k salary? ›

250k Salary and Low Credit

If you have only a small monthly debt ($250/mo) your purchase budget is $763,500. A modest monthly debt of $500/mo reduces your purchase budget to $737,200. The above estimates do not include a down payment, so borrowers may be able to offset a low credit score by paying more up front.

How much house can I afford with an 80k salary? ›

An $80,000 annual salary would allow you to purchase a home priced up to around $300,000 — that is, if you follow the conventional guidance, which is that you spend no more than a third of your pretax income on housing costs.

How much house can you afford with a 300k salary? ›

Even if you're paying a student loan or car loan, a $300,000 annual income means you can likely afford a home priced around $925,000. An income of $300,000 a year is more than four times the U.S. median household income of $74,580, so it gives you a good head start.

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