Free Tool

How Much Home Can You Afford?

Enter your income and debts to see your estimated maximum home price, using the same GDS/TDS ratios and stress test Canadian lenders use.

Your Finances

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Car loans, credit cards, lines of credit, student loans, etc.
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Current rates: ~4.39% variable / ~4.69% 5-yr fixed

Ready to see what's available in your range?

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Enter your household income to see your affordability estimate.

How This Calculator Works

GDS & TDS Ratios

Lenders cap your housing costs at 39% of gross income (GDS) and all debts combined at 44% (TDS). This calculator finds the maximum home price that keeps you under both.

The Stress Test

You must qualify at the higher of your contract rate + 2%, or 5.25%, even though you'll pay your actual lower rate.

Property Tax & Heating Estimates

We estimate property tax at roughly 1% of home price annually and heating at $150/month — standard CMHC assumptions used in affordability underwriting.

Estimate Only

Your actual approval depends on your lender, credit score and full financial picture. Use this as a starting point, then get pre-approved for your exact number.

Affordability FAQ

What is GDS and TDS?

GDS (Gross Debt Service) is the percentage of your gross income going toward housing costs (mortgage payment, property tax, heating). TDS (Total Debt Service) adds in all other debt payments — car loans, credit cards, lines of credit. Most lenders cap GDS at 39% and TDS at 44%.

Why is my qualifying rate higher than my actual mortgage rate?

Canadian lenders must qualify you at the higher of your contract rate + 2%, or 5.25% (the federal stress test), even though you'll actually pay your lower contract rate. This protects both you and the lender if rates rise at renewal.

Does this include condo fees?

This estimate doesn't include condo fees. If you're considering a condo, lenders typically count 50% of your monthly maintenance fee as a housing cost within GDS/TDS — factor that in separately or ask Shahid for a condo-specific estimate.

How accurate is this affordability estimate?

It's a solid starting point using standard CMHC-style ratios, but your actual approval depends on the lender, your credit score, employment type and full financial picture. Use this to set a realistic range, then get pre-approved for your exact number.

What if my down payment is less than 20%?

You'll need CMHC (or equivalent) mortgage default insurance, which adds a premium to your mortgage amount. This calculator estimates the mortgage principal you can support; the actual insured mortgage may be slightly higher once the premium is added.