How much could you borrow?

A lender starts with your income, takes off tax, your living expenses, and any existing repayments, then looks at what's left over to service a loan. The catch is they don't test you at the rate you'll pay. They add a buffer on top, usually around 3%, to make sure you'd still cope if rates rose. That buffer is why this calculator can feel conservative.

Two things surprise people most. First, credit card limits count against you even if the balance is zero, because the limit is money you could draw tomorrow. Second, your declared living expenses matter a lot, and lenders compare them against benchmarks, so being realistic helps more than lowballing.

Every lender scores this differently. One might stretch further on a two-income household, another might treat your overtime or bonus income more generously. That spread is exactly where a broker earns their keep. I can see across a panel of more than 40 lenders and match you to the one that reads your situation best. If you're buying your first place, my first home buyer support walks through the grants and schemes too, and once you've got a figure you'll want to check the stamp duty on your price range.