How this guide works
Every chapter shares one set of numbers. Set your region and a target price at the top, and each step (the deposit or down payment, how long it takes to save, what a lender will lend, the stamp duty or closing costs, the monthly repayment and the lifetime interest) recomputes from the same figures and writes itself onto the running receipt on the right. Nothing is stored and no account is needed; the link you copy at the end carries your numbers in the URL.
How much deposit do I need to buy a house?
Most buyers put down between 5% and 25% of the price. Your deposit (called a down payment in the US) as a share of the price determines your loan-to-value (LTV): a 10% deposit is a 90% LTV mortgage. Lenders price rates in LTV “shelves” (typically 95%, 90%, 85% and 75%), so crossing a shelf (for example getting from a 90% to an 85% mortgage) usually unlocks a cheaper rate, not just a smaller loan.
How much can I borrow for a mortgage?
In the UK and much of the Eurozone, lenders start from an income multiple, commonly around 4.5× gross household income, reduced by your existing debt commitments. In the US, lenders test the 28/36 debt-to-income rule: housing costs under 28% of gross monthly income, and all debts under 36%; the lower ceiling binds. The borrowing-power chapter above estimates your maximum price and can write it straight back into the rest of the guide.
What are the upfront costs of buying a home?
Beyond the deposit (or down payment), you pay transaction costs on completion day. In England and Northern Ireland that is Stamp Duty Land Tax, charged in slices, so each portion of the price is taxed at its band’s rate, and first-time buyers pay nothing on the first £300,000. In the US, closing costs typically run 2–5% of the price; across the Eurozone, notary, registration tax and agent fees commonly total 7–12%, varying widely by country.
Should I overpay my mortgage?
Mortgage interest is front-loaded: in the early years almost all of the balance is still outstanding, so most of each payment is interest. Overpayments hit the balance directly, which is why even small regular overpayments made early can save a large amount of lifetime interest and shorten the term by years. The long-view chapter above lets you slide an overpayment and see the effect.
Figures are estimates for guidance only and simplify some rules (UK tax shown is England & Northern Ireland SDLT; US closing and EU purchase costs are typical ranges). Average prices come from official sources (HM Land Registry, US Census/HUD via FRED, and national statistics offices). Always confirm with a qualified adviser before committing.