Build a budget that gets you into a home

Most of us were never taught how to budget, and that's okay. This shows exactly where your money goes and how fast you can save for a home. It takes about 5 minutes, and nothing is shared unless you choose to send it.

Start my budget Talk to an agent

Every number below is an example. Change anything to match your own life; the totals update as you type.

Monthly take-home (estimated from your pay)

$5,812

Housing + other needs $3,285 (57%)
Wants $650 (11%)
Savings $800 (14%)
Unassigned $1,077 (19%)

Compare two homesExample

Put a rent or a payment on each side and see what it does to your budget. The one you choose here is the one used everywhere below.

Rent or payment

Utilities

Other (HOA, insurance, lot fee)

Estimate a mortgage payment

Example numbers; change them to match a real home. Florida homeowners insurance is often a large part of the payment, and some homes also need flood coverage.

Home price

Down payment

Interest rate (example)

Loan term

Property tax / year

Homeowners insurance / year

Flood insurance / year (if needed)

HOA / month

Principal + interest$2,157

Taxes + insurance$650

Mortgage insurance (estimate)$166

HOA$0

Estimated payment$2,973

Housing total$2,050

Total spending + savings$5,410

Left over$402

Could save per year$14,429

Months to emergency fund24 months

Months to home goal40 months

Use this in the budget below

Rent or payment

Utilities

Other (HOA, insurance, lot fee)

Estimate a mortgage payment

Example numbers; change them to match a real home. Florida homeowners insurance is often a large part of the payment, and some homes also need flood coverage.

Home price

Down payment

Interest rate (example)

Loan term

Property tax / year

Homeowners insurance / year

Flood insurance / year (if needed)

HOA / month

Principal + interest$2,157

Taxes + insurance$650

Mortgage insurance (estimate)$166

HOA$0

Estimated payment$2,973

Housing total$1,375

Total spending + savings$4,735

Left over$1,077

Could save per year$22,529

Months to emergency fund20 months

Months to home goal21 months

Use this in the budget below

Home B costs $675 less per month than Home A — that's $8,100 a year you could put toward your home fund.

IncomeExample

Hourly pay is turned into a take-home estimate using 2026 federal tax figures. Florida has no state income tax.

Earner 1

Hourly pay

Hours per week

About $3,900 a month · $46,800 a year before taxes

Earner 2

Hourly pay

Hours per week

About $2,882 a month · $34,580 a year before taxes

Include a second earner

Filing status

State income tax

Local income tax

Pre-tax deductions / month

401(k), health premiums

Actual take-home / month (optional)

Leave blank to use the estimate. Entering your real paycheck total replaces it.

Bills & needsExample

Everything you have to pay except housing; that comes from the home you chose above.

Groceries amount per month
Car payment amount per month
Car insurance amount per month
Gas for cars amount per month
Phones amount per month
Internet amount per month
Debt minimums amount per month

Total $1,910/mo

Fun & wantsExample

The extras that make life enjoyable.

Eating out amount per month
Entertainment amount per month
Subscriptions amount per month
Shopping & personal amount per month
Misc / buffer amount per month

Total $650/mo

SavingsExample

Lines named “Emergency fund” and “Down payment fund” are used for the timelines. With neither, all savings count toward both.

Emergency fund amount per month
Down payment fund amount per month

Total $800/mo

Emergency fund saved so far

Months of needs to keep saved

Your home goalExample

How much to have ready when you buy. Low-down-payment loan programs exist; a lender can confirm which ones apply to you.

Home price

Down payment

Closing costs

Saved for the home so far

Down payment$17,500

Closing costs$10,500

Total needed$28,000

Still to save$28,000

Months to your goal21 months

0% saved

Want help hitting your number?

A Sands agent will walk through your plan with you, connect you with a lender if you want one, and send homes that fit your budget when you're ready. There's no cost and no pressure.

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Tax figures are 2026 estimates for planning purposes, not tax, lending or financial advice. Your numbers are saved only in this browser unless you choose to send them to us.