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A mortgage calculator is an important tool for anyone considering a home purchase in Collins. Put in a few basic facts, and you’ll learn the monthly payment amount and total interest cost for your home purchase. You can also use the calculator to try out different scenarios to find the home price, down payment, and interest rate that are right for you.
Key Points
• A Collins mortgage loan calculator helps homebuyers quickly estimate the monthly and total costs of borrowing money to buy a home.
• One rule of thumb recommends that monthly mortgage payments not exceed 28% of gross income.
• Before using the calculator, learn key terms like total interest paid, and how that figure can help you compare scenarios and mortgage offers.
• A longer loan term typically means lower monthly payments but higher overall interest costs.
• First-time homebuyer programs offer down payment and closing cost assistance.
Collins Mortgage Calculator
Calculator Definitions
• Home price: The home price is the purchase price that you have agreed upon with the home seller. This is a key figure when it comes to determining your home loan amount.
• Down payment: The down payment is the amount you plan to pay upfront. It’s often expressed as a percentage of the total home price, typically anywhere from 3% to 20%. A larger down payment can lower your monthly mortgage payments and eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Down payment assistance programs can help cover this cost.
• Loan term: The loan term is the length of time you have to repay the loan. Common terms are 15 and 30 years. A shorter term can reduce total interest paid but increases monthly payments. A longer term offers lower monthly payments but results in more interest overall.
• Interest rate: The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money. It’s expressed as a percentage of the loan amount and varies based on your credit score, market trends, and the type of mortgage loan.
• Annual property tax: The annual property tax is levied by local governments on land and buildings within their jurisdiction, and is expressed as a percentage of a property’s assessed value.
• Monthly payment: The monthly payment includes the loan’s principal and interest. Our calculator also factors in property taxes. Some lenders include homeowners insurance and homeowners association (HOA) fees in payments.
• Total interest paid: The total interest paid represents the entire amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan. By making a larger down payment, securing a lower interest rate, or choosing a shorter loan term, you can reduce your total interest paid.
• Total loan cost: The total loan cost is the global price you will pay for the loan, including the principal that you repay and the interest.
How to Use the Collins Mortgage Calculator
Step 1: Enter Your Home Price
Enter the purchase price into the calculator.
Step 2: Select a Down Payment Amount
Choose the percent of the home price you plan to pay upfront. A larger down payment can reduce your monthly payments and eliminate the need for PMI. Use a down payment calculator to help you determine what percentage makes sense for you.
Step 3: Choose a Loan Term
Select the duration of your mortgage, typically 15 or 30 years. This choice impacts your monthly payments and total interest paid.
Step 4: Enter an Interest Rate
Input your expected interest rate to the second or third decimal point. A lower rate can significantly decrease your mortgage costs.
Step 5: Add Your Annual Property Tax
Enter the property tax rate as a percentage. The average effective property tax rate for Covington County is 0.76%.
Benefits of Using a Mortgage Payment Calculator
A mortgage calculator helps you estimate how much house you can afford by calculating monthly payments based on loan amount, interest rate, and term. Use this tool to compare costs, like how interest rates affect payments. Check out different loan terms to see their impact on expenses and total interest. The calculator can also help you see how your down payment figures in.
Deciding How Much House You Can Afford in Collins
When you’re buying your first home, it’s good to research average home prices. In Covington County, where Collins is located, the median home sale price in late 2025 was $110,521 — highly affordable compared to the national median of around $439,000, according to Redfin.
Lenders suggest a mortgage payment shouldn’t exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. You’d need to earn an annual income of about $31,000 to afford the monthly payment on a $110,000 home, which comes to about $724. That payment amount assumes a 20% down payment ($22,000), an interest rate of 7.00% on a 30-year mortgage, and a property tax rate of 0.76%.
Lenders also recommend total debt payments stay under 36% of gross monthly income; other debts shouldn’t exceed $207 monthly in this case. If you want to factor in other debts, you can use a home affordability calculator.
A more reliable method to help you determine affordability is to go through the mortgage preapproval process with a lender, where you provide detailed financial information. The lender will let you know whether you qualify for a loan and, if so, in what amount and under what terms.
Compare current home interest rates by state and find a mortgage rate that suits your financial goals.
Select a state to view current rates:
Components of a Mortgage Payment
A mortgage payment mainly covers the principal (borrowed amount) and interest (borrowing cost). But your monthly payment might also include property tax, which is based on your home’s value. If your down payment is less than 20%, you may be required to purchase PMI. Other potential costs that are often rolled into the payment are homeowners association (HOA) fees and homeowners insurance.
If you’re considering an FHA loan — one that’s guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) — you may want to use an FHA mortgage calculator, which allows for that kind of loan’s mortgage insurance premiums.
A VA mortgage calculator can be helpful too if you’re looking at a loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Finally, if you are purchasing a pricey property, consider something called a jumbo loan. This type of loan is designed for when your loan amount is over the conforming loan limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
Cost of Living in Collins
Collins, about 60 miles southeast of Jackson, has a relatively low cost of living, which reflects how much you can afford in a certain area. For a family of two working adults (working full-time) and two children, MIT’s Living Wage Institute estimates that you would need an hourly wage of $37.44 to support your household in Collins.
A cost of living index number (COLI) higher than 100 means the region is more expensive than the national average, and a COLI below 100 indicates it is less expensive, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index. Jackson’s 2024 COLI was 89.6, and nearby Baton Rouge was 92.8. Mississippi’s COLI was 87.3, in the same ballpark as Louisiana (92.3) and Alabama (88.6).
If you have a desire to pursue a home in Mississippi, also look at Greenville, Meridian, and Yazoo City, which all landed on the best affordable places in the U.S. list.
Using the free calculators is for informational purposes only, does not constitute an offer to receive a loan, and will not solicit a loan offer. Any payments shown depend on the accuracy of the information provided.
Tips on Reducing Your Mortgage Payment
As you explore your monthly bills, you may wonder how you can reduce your mortgage payment. Here are some ways borrowers can lower their payments:
• Make additional payments toward the principal to decrease both the term of your loan and the total interest paid over its lifetime.
• Once you’ve built 20% equity in your home, request that your lender cancel PMI payments to save on unnecessary costs.
• If you think your property taxes are too high, the Covington County Tax Assessor’s office can inform you about the appeals process.
• See if your insurer offers a discount for bundling policies. Sometimes if you purchase more than one policy with them — both a homeowners and auto policy, for instance — they may offer a discount.
• If mortgage rates have dropped since you made your purchase, consider a mortgage refinance.
Collins First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs
If you’re buying your first home in Collins, there are down payment assistance programs available to help you cover the initial costs. To qualify, you must not have owned a primary residence within the past three years.
You can pursue different types of mortgage loans and financial assistance programs as a first time homebuyer in Mississippi. For example, the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) offers the Smart6 Mortgage Program to help first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance. The borrower must meet credit score and income requirements.
A Collins mortgage calculator is a powerful tool for anyone considering a home loan, and it’s extra useful for first-time homebuyers. This tool helps you estimate monthly payments, understand the impact of different down payment amounts, and explore various loan scenarios. By using this calculator, you can better prepare for the financial commitment of homeownership.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
How does my credit score affect my mortgage loan interest rate?
Your credit score significantly affects your mortgage interest rate. A higher score often leads to better loan terms and lower interest rates, while a lower score may result in higher rates and more stringent lending requirements.
Should I choose a 30-year or 15-year mortgage term?
When choosing a mortgage term, consider that a 30-year term offers lower monthly payments but more interest over time, while a 15-year term has higher monthly payments but less interest paid overall. Assess your financial goals and budget when opting for a certain term.
How much should I put down on a mortgage?
You should put as much money as you comfortably can toward a down payment on a home, while ensuring that you aren’t pinching your finances to the bone. A first-time homebuyer can sometimes put down as little as 3% toward the purchase price of a home, while repeat buyers may be able to contribute just 5%. If you put down less than 20%, you will likely have to add private mortgage insurance to your monthly bill. Look at the entire financial picture to determine what makes sense for your budget.
How much is the payment on a $100,000 mortgage with a 30-year term?
The cost of a $100,000 mortgage with a 30-year term will depend on your interest rate and a down payment. For example, if you have an interest rate of 6.00%, and a down payment of 20% ($20,000), your monthly payment would be $480. This estimate includes principal and interest but not property taxes, insurance, or other fees.
SoFi Mortgages
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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
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