How Much Can I Borrow? The Truth Behind Mortgage Affordability Calculators
It’s one of the first questions we hear at Keevelia Mortgage Solutions: How much can I borrow?
It’s tempting to jump onto an online mortgage calculator for a quick answer — but in truth, those tools only give you a very rough idea. Let’s dig into how lenders actually decide what you can borrow, and how we help clients find clarity.
What Do Online Calculators Miss?
Most online calculators ask for your income and maybe your outgoings. But they don’t consider:
Your credit commitments (loans, credit cards, car finance)
Your childcare costs or other regular spending
The specific criteria of different lenders (which can vary a lot!)
How Lenders Assess Affordability
When a lender looks at your mortgage application, they consider:
💰 Your income (including bonuses, benefits, etc.)
💳 Your existing debts
📊 Your monthly spending
🛡️ Your credit history
🔮 Your ability to afford payments if rates rise
Every lender uses their own formula — that’s why two lenders might offer very different maximum borrowing amounts to the same applicant!
The Keevelia Difference
When you come to us, we don’t just plug numbers into a generic tool. We take the time to understand your full financial picture, compare lenders’ criteria, and give you a realistic view of what’s possible — so you can house-hunt with confidence.
