🏦 Mortgage Tool

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

Find out exactly how much home loan you can qualify for based on your income, debts, and your African bank's affordability rules.

💰 Your Income & Expenses
Before tax deductions
After-tax take-home pay
Spouse / joint applicant income
Rental, business, investments
💳 Existing Monthly Obligations
🏦 Loan Parameters
South Africa prime + 1% avg ~11.75%
Cash available for deposit
SA banks typically allow max 30% of net income
Maximum Affordable Loan
—
Based on your income and bank affordability rules
Max Home Price
—
Monthly Payment
—
Debt Service Ratio
—
Debt Service Ratio (DSR) 0% of net income
0%Safe ≤30%Caution 30–40%High Risk >40%
📊 Rate Scenarios
Affordability SummaryAmount
🤖 AfroTools AI Insight
AI Mortgage Affordability Advisor Powered by Claude
Ask me anything about this tool — I can help explain results, suggest strategies, and answer questions.

🏦 African Bank DSR Rules

🇿🇦 South Africa
Max 30% of net income (NCA rules). NHF loans allow up to 33%.
🇰🇪 Kenya
Max 40% of gross income. Stima Sacco allows up to 50% for members.
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Max 33% of net income (CBN guidelines). NHF loans: 30% of net.
🇬🇭 Ghana
Max 40% of gross income. HFC Bank, GHL use 30–35%.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Max 40% of net income (CBE guidelines for social housing).
🇲🇦 Morocco
Max 33% of gross income. CIH and Attijariwafa use this limit.

❓ Common Questions

What is a Debt Service Ratio? +
DSR (Debt Service Ratio) is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward debt repayments. Banks use this to decide if you can afford the loan. In South Africa, the limit is ~30% of net income. In Kenya and Ghana, banks use ~40% of gross income.
Can I use rental income in my application? +
Yes, most African banks will accept 70–80% of rental income as qualifying income. You'll need lease agreements and bank statements showing deposits. Some banks require 2 years of rental history.
How does a joint application help? +
A joint application (spouse or co-buyer) combines both incomes, which can significantly increase the loan amount you qualify for. Both applicants' credit histories are assessed, so both need good credit.
What if I'm self-employed? +
Self-employed borrowers typically need 2–3 years of audited financial statements, 6–12 months of bank statements, and a letter from an accountant. Banks often apply a 10–20% "haircut" on declared income for self-employed applicants.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator: How It Works

The AfroTools Mortgage Affordability Calculator tells you how much house you can afford based on your income and financial situation. Select your country — Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and more — and enter your gross or net income, existing debt repayments, and desired loan term. The calculator uses actual African bank affordability rules, including debt-service ratios and income-to-loan guidelines specific to each country. In Nigeria, commercial banks typically use CBN guidelines allowing up to 33% of net income for loan repayments. South African banks apply the National Credit Act affordability assessment. Kenyan lenders generally cap repayments at a third of gross income. The tool shows your maximum loan amount, estimated monthly repayment, and the property price range you can target. It factors in prevailing interest rates for each market so the results reflect current lending conditions. An integrated AI advisor is available to answer questions about improving your borrowing power, required documentation, and the mortgage application process in your country. This calculator is the essential first step for anyone considering buying property in Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the calculator determine my maximum loan?

It applies the debt-service ratio rules used by banks in your selected country. This means it calculates the maximum monthly repayment your income can support after accounting for existing debts, then works backward to determine the loan amount.

Which African countries are supported?

The calculator supports Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and additional African markets. Each country has specific interest rates, affordability rules, and debt-service limits based on actual banking guidelines.

Does existing debt affect how much I can borrow?

Yes. Banks deduct your existing monthly debt obligations (car loans, personal loans, credit cards) from your available income before calculating how much mortgage repayment you can afford. Reducing existing debt increases your borrowing power.

What is a debt-service ratio?

The debt-service ratio (DSR) is the percentage of your income that goes toward debt repayments. African banks typically cap this at 30-40% of your income, meaning your total monthly debt payments cannot exceed that threshold.

Can the AI advisor help me improve my borrowing power?

Yes. The built-in AI advisor can suggest strategies to increase your mortgage affordability, such as paying down existing debt, extending the loan term, considering joint applications, or improving your credit profile.