A $300,000 mortgage payment could range from about $1,700 to more than $2,700 per month, depending on your loan’s interest rate, term, and other factors.When you’re shopping for a home, it’s easy to get fixated on how much you can borrow and finding houses in your price range. But understanding how much your mortgage could cost, upfront and over time, could be just as important to your success as a homebuyer. Read on for a look at what some of the expenses of getting a home mortgage might include.
How Much Can a $300,000 Mortgage Cost?
You can expect to run into a variety of costs when you take out a home loan. Most of the time these expenses can be broken down into three main categories:
Closing Costs
Closing costs are one-time costs that typically include loan processing fees, third-party services such as appraisals and title insurance, and government fees and taxes. You also may choose to pay discount points upfront on your loan to lower the interest rate. Closing costs can vary significantly, but they generally range from 3% to 6% of the loan amount.
Monthly Payments
The payments borrowers make monthly over the life of a mortgage usually include two main components:
• Principal: This is the part of the mortgage payment that goes directly toward repaying the amount you borrowed.
• Interest: This is the fee you pay the lender for borrowing money. The amount of interest you’ll pay each month will be calculated by multiplying your interest rate by your remaining loan balance.
Escrow
Your lender may collect and hold money in an escrow account to ensure that your homeowners insurance and property taxes are paid on time. The cost of living by state can vary widely and this is due in large part to taxes.
It’s important to pay attention to all your costs as you go through the homebuying process. You may be able to negotiate the amount of some of these expenses, which means doing some comparison shopping could help you save.
💡 Quick Tip: You deserve a more zen mortgage. Look for a mortgage lender who’s dedicated to closing your loan on time.
First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.
What Are the Monthly Payments for a $300,000 Mortgage?
To keep things simple, let’s eliminate any costs that might be associated with an escrow account to get a basic estimate of what a $300,000 mortgage payment might be each month.
Let’s say you wanted to buy a home for $340,000, and you had a down payment of $40,000. If your lender offered you a $300,000 loan with a 15-year fixed-rate term at a 7% annual percentage rate (APR), you could expect your monthly payment — principal and interest — to be about $2,696. If you took out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 7% APR, your payment could be about $1,995.
Here are some more examples that show what the difference can be for a 15-year fixed-rate loan vs. a 30-year fixed-rate loan, using SoFi’s Mortgage Calculator.
| APR | Payment with 15-year Loan | Payment with 30-Year Loan |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5% | $2,451 | $1,703 |
| 6.5% | $2,613 | $1,896 |
| 7.5% | $2,781 | $2,097 |
Recommended: 2024 Home Loan Help Center
How Much Interest Will You Pay on a $300,000 Mortgage?
The interest rate your lender gives you can make a big difference in the overall cost of your mortgage, and so can the mortgage term you choose. With a $300,000 home loan at a 7% APR, for example, the total amount you pay in interest could range from $185,367 to $418,527, depending on the length of the loan (15 vs. 30 years).
Spreading out your mortgage payments over a longer term can lower your monthly payment. But keep in mind that if you make this choice, you can expect to pay more for the loan overall. You can get more specific information by plugging various scenarios into a home affordability calculator.
💡 Quick Tip: If you refinance your mortgage and shorten your loan term, you could save a substantial amount in interest over the lifetime of the loan.
How Does Amortization Work for a $300,000 Mortgage?
Though your payment will remain the same every month (if you have a fixed-rate home mortgage loan), you can expect the amount you pay toward interest vs. principal to change over the life of your loan. In the first years, most of your payment will go toward interest. But as your balance goes down, more of your payment will go toward principal.
Your lender can provide you with a repayment schedule, or mortgage amortization schedule, that illustrates how the proportions will change over the length of your loan. Here’s a look at what the amortization schedules for a $300,000 mortgage with 30- and 15-year terms might look like. (Remember that your payments could include other costs besides principal and interest.)
| Year | Amount Paid | Interest Paid | Principal Paid | Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $23,950.89 | $20,903.46 | $3,047,43 | $296,952.57 |
| 2 | $23,950,89 | $20,683.16 | $3,267.73 | $293,684.84 |
| 3 | $23,950.89 | $20,446.94 | $3,503.95 | $290,180.89 |
| 4 | $23,950.89 | $20,163.64 | $3,757.25 | $286,423.64 |
| 5 | $23,950.89 | $19,922.02 | $4,028.87 | $282,394.77 |
| 6 | $23,950.89 | $19,630.78 | $4,320.11 | $278,074.66 |
| 7 | $23,950.89 | $19,318.48 | $4,632.41 | $273,442.24 |
| 8 | $23,950.89 | $18,983.60 | $4,967.29 | $268,474.95 |
| 9 | $23,950.89 | $18,624.51 | $5,326.38 | $263.148.57 |
| 10 | $23,950.89 | $18,239.47 | $5,711.42 | $257,437.15 |
| 11 | $23,950.89 | $17,826.59 | $6,124.30 | $251,312.85 |
| 12 | $23,950.89 | $17,383.86 | $6,567.03 | $244,745.82 |
| 13 | $23,950.89 | $16,909.13 | $7,041.76 | $237,704.06 |
| 14 | $23,950.89 | $16,400.08 | $7,550.81 | $230,153.25 |
| 15 | $23,950.89 | $15,854.23 | $8,096.66 | $222,056.60 |
| 16 | $23,950.89 | $15,268.93 | $8,681.96 | $213,374,63 |
| 17 | $23,950.89 | $14,651.31 | $9,309.58 | $204,065.05 |
| 18 | $23,950.89 | $13,968.32 | $9,982.57 | $194,082.48 |
| 19 | $23,950.89 | $13,246.67 | $10,704.22 | $183,378.26 |
| 20 | $23,950.89 | $12,472.87 | $11,478.02 | $171,900.23 |
| 21 | $23,950.89 | $11,643.12 | $12,307.77 | $159,592.46 |
| 22 | $23,950.89 | $10,753.39 | $13,197.50 | $146,394.96 |
| 23 | $23,950.89 | $9,799.34 | $14,151.55 | $132,243.41 |
| 24 | $23,950.89 | $8,776.32 | $15,174.57 | $117,068.84 |
| 25 | $23,950.89 | $7,679.35 | $16,271.54 | $100,797.31 |
| 26 | $23,950.89 | $6,503.08 | $17,447.81 | $83,349.50 |
| 27 | $23,950.89 | $5,241.78 | $18,709.11 | $64,640.39 |
| 28 | $23,950.89 | $3,889.29 | $20,061.59 | $44,578.79 |
| 29 | $23,950.89 | $2,439.04 | $21,511.85 | $23,066.94 |
| 30 | $23,950.89 | $883.95 | $23,066.94 | $0 |
| Year | Amount Paid | Interest Paid | Principal Paid | Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32,357.82 | $20,628.42 | $11,729.39 | $288,270.61 |
| 2 | $32,357.82 | $19,780.51 | $12,577.31 | $275,693.29 |
| 3 | $32,357.82 | $18,871.29 | $13,486.53 | $262,206.77 |
| 4 | $32,357.82 | $17,896.47 | $14,461.47 | $247,745.30 |
| 5 | $32,357.82 | $16,850.93 | $15,506.89 | $232,238.41 |
| 6 | $32,357.82 | $15,729.93 | $16,627.88 | $215,610.52 |
| 7 | $32,357.82 | $14,527.90 | $17,829.92 | $197,780.60 |
| 8 | $32,357.82 | $13,238.98 | $19,118.84 | $178,661.76 |
| 9 | $32,357.82 | $11,856.87 | $20,500.94 | $158,160.82 |
| 10 | $32,357.82 | $10,374.86 | $21,982.96 | $136,177.86 |
| 11 | $32,357.82 | $8,785.71 | $23,572.11 | $112,605.75 |
| 12 | $32,357.82 | $7,081.68 | $25,276.14 | $87,329.61 |
| 13 | $32,357.82 | $5,254.46 | $27,103.35 | $60,226.26 |
| 14 | $32,357.82 | $3,295.16 | $29,062.66 | $31,163.60 |
| 15 | $32,357.82 | $1,194.22 | $31,163.60 | $0 |
Where Can a Borrower Get a $300,000 Mortgage?
Homebuyers have a few different choices when deciding where to go for a loan, including online banks and lenders, and traditional banks and credit unions. Rates and terms can vary from one lender to the next, so it can be a good idea to shop around for a mortgage that fits your specific needs and goals.
Before you start looking for quotes, though, you may want to look at the different types of mortgage loans you might qualify for. Would you be better off with a conventional or government-backed mortgage? Are you eligible for a VA loan or first-time homebuyer assistance? How many years do you want to make payments on your loan, and would you prefer a fixed or adjustable rate?
Once you settle on some loans that might work for you, you may want to read online reviews of the lenders you’re considering. A good old-fashioned pros-and-cons list could also help you evaluate the possibilities.
Recommended: Tips to Qualify for a Mortgage
How to Get a $300,000 Mortgage
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’ve done this before, the home-buying and mortgage process can be a little daunting. By breaking it down into some manageable steps, you may be able to make things a little easier.
Start by Determining How Much You Can Afford
Looking at your income, debt, monthly spending, credit status, and how much you’ve saved for a down payment can be a good starting point when you’re trying to figure out how much house you can afford. This can help you decide how much of a down payment and monthly payment you can handle.
Research Different Loans and Lenders
Once you know what you can afford to spend, you can start looking for the loan type, interest rate, loan term, and lender that meet your needs. The mortgage professional you choose to work with should be able to walk you through your options and help you evaluate their pros and cons.
Get Preapproved
Once you’ve chosen a loan and lender, it can be a good idea to go through the mortgage preapproval process. Getting a letter from your lender that says you’re preapproved for a certain loan amount can let sellers know you’re a serious buyer. (This could be especially helpful if you find yourself in a bidding war.)
Go House Hunting
With your preapproval letter in hand, you can start your home search — and potentially make an offer on a house. And because you’re prepared and know how much you can afford, you and your real estate agent can target homes in an appropriate price range.
Submit a Full Mortgage Application
When you find a home and you’re ready to seal the deal, you can work with your lender to fill out a formal loan application. Be ready: Your lender will likely ask for more financial information and documentation before approving the loan.
Prepare for Closing
While you’re waiting for your final loan approval and a closing date from your lender, you can shop for homeowners insurance, get a home inspection, and make sure you have all the money you’ll need for your down payment and closing costs.
Take Ownership of Your New Home
At the closing, you’ll be asked to sign a lot of paperwork, and you’ll hand over the necessary funds to make the purchase. Finally — congratulations! — you’ll get the keys to your new home.
The Takeaway
Researching the different costs you might have to pay when taking out a $300,000 mortgage could help you avoid any unpleasant surprises during the homebuying process and improve your chances of sticking to your budget. The decisions you make about the type of loan you get, the interest rate, loan term, and other costs will all impact how much you pay every month — and what you’ll pay for the loan overall. So it can be a good idea to run the numbers and evaluate your options before you decide on a particular loan.
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.
FAQ
How much is a $300,000 mortgage payment per month?
The monthly payment for a $300,000 mortgage could range from about $1,700 a month to more than $2,700. Your payment will depend on several factors, including your interest rate and loan term.
How much income is required for a $300,000 mortgage?
An annual income in the $90,000-$100,000 range would qualify for a $300,000 mortgage as long as the borrower has few other debts. Mortgage lenders don’t make their decisions based on salary alone. You can expect your lender to look at several factors, including your debt, your credit rating and other factors before deciding how much you’re qualified to borrow.
How much is a down payment on a $300,000 mortgage
If you borrowed $300,000 and were putting down 20% on the property to avoid having to pay for mortgage insurance, your down payment would be around $75,000 (for a home priced at $375,000). But many borrowers put down less than 20%. A down payment of 3% on a home priced at $310,000 would cost you less than $10,000 and in this scenario you would also have a $300,000 mortgage.
Can I afford a $300,000 mortgage on a $70,000 salary?
If you can keep your monthly debt payments (housing costs and other debts combined) below $2,100 a month, you might be able to afford a $300,000 mortgage on a $70,000 salary, but it could be a stretch. How much mortgage you can afford usually depends on your monthly house payment and other debts you may have, such as car loans, credit cards, and student loans.
Photo credit: iStock/irina88w
*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.
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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.
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