How to Get a 3% Mortgage in 2026: The Assumable Mortgage Strategy Nobody's Talking About
12 million FHA and VA mortgages from 2020-2022 carry rates of 2.5-3.5% and are legally assumable. Here's how to find and assume one.
Enter the listing price โ see TRUE monthly cost (not just mortgage). Includes property tax, insurance, PMI, HOA, maintenance reserve, utilities estimate. Compares to 28/36 rule automatically.
Let's find out what you can really afford.
Car loans, student loans, credit card minimums
Here's the thing
Your housing costs would be 28.0% of gross income, well within the recommended 28%. You'd still have plenty of room in your budget for saving and living. Don't forget to keep an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses on top of your down payment.
Maximum home price
$257,694
Loan amount
$207,694
Monthly mortgage (P&I)
$1,313
$188 principal + $1,125 interest
Property tax
$236/mo
Home insurance
$114/mo
PMI
$87/mo
Goes away once you have 20% equity
Total monthly housing cost
$1,750
Maintenance reserve
$215/mo
1% of home value per year, set aside monthly
Debt-to-income ratio
36.0%
Within guidelines, but on the higher side
Est. total interest over loan life
$405,004
Over 30 years
The Money Friend
You can comfortably afford a home up to $257,694
Send this to your partner or a friend
Save your results
Create a free account to save this calculation, track your progress, and get weekly money tips.
No password needed. Quick magic link signup.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Actual costs may vary based on your creditworthiness, location, and lender. Consult a licensed financial advisor or mortgage professional before making financial decisions.
Interest rates, payments, and loan terms shown are examples for illustration purposes only and do not represent an offer to lend, a commitment to make a loan, or a guarantee of any specific rate or term. Actual rates and terms are determined by lenders based on your individual credit profile and may differ from examples shown.
Past performance and historical data do not guarantee future results. Equal Housing Opportunity.
12 million FHA and VA mortgages from 2020-2022 carry rates of 2.5-3.5% and are legally assumable. Here's how to find and assume one.
A mortgage recast costs $200 and permanently lowers your payment. A refinance costs $4,000-$8,000 and resets your term. Here's when each makes sense.
30-60% of homes are over-assessed. Here's how to check, appeal for free, and save $1,000-$3,000 per year in property taxes.
Equal Housing Opportunity. All housing-related content on this site is provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.