PITI is an acronym for principal, interest, taxes and insurance. In real estate, it's used by lenders to estimate your qualifications for a mortgage. One of the key variables in the formula is property taxes, which vary by location and individual home. But how do property taxes affect your PITI ratio? Here is a basic explanation to help:
Property taxes & your home's value
Property taxes are calculated based on several variables. One of the variables is the value of your home, which can be more complicated than just the purchase price. A home's assessed value is the value decided by tax assessors and can be adjusted as often as once per year. Fair market value, however, is much more fluid and depends on the value of surrounding homes, the local economy and more.
In addition to home value, property taxes are determined by a local tax rate. You can find out your tax rate from your local tax assessor or municipality records online. Other factors like appraisal value can also affect your property taxes, especially if your professional appraisal is much higher or lower than the assessed amount.
Why taxes matter to lenders
Property taxes matter to lenders because they make up part of your PITI. This combination of numbers can help lenders determine your eligibility for a mortgage because it represents a large portion of your overall financial situation. Your property taxes combined with other expenses and your debt-to-income ratio allow lenders to determine how much money you can afford to borrow without risk to them.
Knowing your PITI can help you make more informed financial decisions when buying or refinancing a home. If you're interested in learning more, consulting a lender or tax professional is a great way to begin.
About the Author
Julia Brown and Barry Weiss Weiss
Introducing the partnership of Brown & Weiss. Julia & Barry have a combined 23 years of experience in real estate and over 70 combined years of customer service. They each have lived in the Wilmington area for over 20 years and are very familiar with the local market. Their savvy negotiations and cutting edge marketing join uncompromising integrity as the hallmarks of Julia and Barry’s service. They are well respected in the Wilmington area not only for their professional track record and high ethical standards, but for being hardworking individuals that will do anything in their power to ensure their client’s success. Julia and Barry enjoy working for the number one real estate company in the area- Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. With the Coldwell Banker brand and their experience behind the sale or purchase or your home, you can’t go wrong. So, put us to work for you today and “Let us light your way home".
