How Much You Need to Earn to Afford a $500K Home?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Release Date: 10/16/2025
How Much Income Do You Need to Afford a $2 Million Home?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation Curious about what it really takes to afford a $2 million home? Bill shares how your unique situation can shape your homebuying journey and why smart strategies make a significant difference. Discover actionable strategies, helpful tips, and expert perspectives that will empower you to make informed decisions on your journey to homeownership. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Income Breakdown: how much you actually need to earn to buy a $2M home 📉 Debt...
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Self-Employed? Learn How Bank Statement Loans Can Help You Secure a Mortgage
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation Are you self-employed and struggling to qualify for a mortgage based on your tax returns? In this episode, Bill explains how bank statement loans can provide an alternative solution to traditional loans. He walks you through the process, benefits, and considerations of these loans, as well as how they compare to traditional mortgage options. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Rate & Term: Understanding rates and terms for Bank Statement Loans 📑 Bank...
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November Market Update: Expert Insights & What’s Ahead for Homebuyers
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation It’s the final stretch of the year but that doesn’t mean the news is slowing down. In this month’s market update, Bill explains why rates are dipping, what’s behind the Fed’s changing approach, and how these moves could impact refinancing and homebuying decisions. We’ll also discuss how seasonal factors might affect negotiations as the year winds down. Join us to hear about what’s really driving the current market and what to watch heading into 2026. Here’s...
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Is It Normal Not to Get a Rate During Pre-Approval?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation If your lender won’t tell you your interest rate until you make an offer, is that normal or a red flag? In this episode, Bill explains how a proper pre-approval should work, what information you should expect upfront, and when to walk away from a lender who isn’t being transparent. Going through the homebuying process can be confusing, especially if you’ve never done it before, so join us to learn more about what you should expect. Here’s what we discuss in this...
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How Much You Need to Earn to Afford a $500K Home?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation The average U.S. home price is hovering around $500,000, but what kind of income do you actually need to afford a home with that price tag? In this episode, Bill breaks down the math behind mortgage qualification and explains how factors like debt, down payment, and interest rate dramatically change what’s possible. Using real-world examples, this video shows how paying down just $1,000 in monthly debt can increase your purchasing power by more than a quarter-million...
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The Bridge Loan: Make Offers with No Contingencies
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation You’ve found the perfect home, but there’s a catch. You still need to sell your current house before you can buy. Sellers know that’s risky, which is why “sale of home contingencies” are often rejected in today’s competitive market. So how do you make a strong offer without one? In this episode, Bill explains how specialized products allow you to unlock equity in your current home and use it for your next purchase, without waiting for your old house to sell....
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The Fed Cuts Rates- What Does That Mean For Mortgages?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation The Fed finally cut rates, but why haven’t mortgage rates followed? In this episode, Bill breaks down why the federal funds rate and 30-year fixed mortgage rates don’t always move in sync. While the Fed’s decision impacts short-term borrowing like credit cards and home equity lines, long-term mortgages are a different story. Today, Bill shares what this could mean for buyers, homeowners, and the housing market going forward. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: ...
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Primary Home vs. Rental Property: The Mortgage Rules You Need to Know
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation Turning a primary residence into a rental property is a common strategy, but it’s also one that can get homeowners into hot water if they don’t follow the rules. In this episode, Bill breaks down the key differences between mortgages for primary homes versus investment properties, and what you need to know before converting your home into a rental. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 The benefits of buying a primary residence vs. a rental property ⏳ How...
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Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): Smart Move or Risky Bet?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation With mortgage rates holding steady in the mid-6% range and home prices still elevated, more buyers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are turning to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) as a way to lower their monthly payments upfront. The strategy? Grab the lower rate now and hope for a refinance later. But is this smart planning or a financial gamble? In this episode, Bill breaks down the pros and cons of ARMs, explains how they actually work, and reveals what worst-case...
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How Much Do I Need to Make to Afford a $1 Million Home
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation With home prices climbing, the once-rare million-dollar home is now surprisingly common in many markets. But what does it really take to afford one? In this episode, Bill breaks down the difference between what you can qualify for versus what you can truly afford, and other key factors to take into consideration when shopping for a $1 million home. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Qualifying for a mortgage is not the same as being able to afford it ...
info_outlineđź“ž Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/
📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation
The average U.S. home price is hovering around $500,000, but what kind of income do you actually need to afford a home with that price tag? In this episode, Bill breaks down the math behind mortgage qualification and explains how factors like debt, down payment, and interest rate dramatically change what’s possible. Using real-world examples, this video shows how paying down just $1,000 in monthly debt can increase your purchasing power by more than a quarter-million dollars. If you’re dreaming of a $500K home, this will give you a clearer picture of what it really takes to make that dream fit your budget.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
đź’µ How lenders determine what you can actually afford
đź“Š Understanding debt-to-income (DTI) ratios
🧮 The “$150K income” scenario and its limitations
đź’ˇ Smart trade-offs: down payment vs. debt reduction
CONTACT:
Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/
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