How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (2024)

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Published Date: March 5, 2024

How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (5)
Ever caught yourself daydreaming about living in a million-dollar home, only to dismiss it as a far-fetched idea? Well, contrary to popular belief, owning a million-dollar abode isn't just for the super-rich.If owning a million-dollar home is one of your life goals, you’re not alone. With some clever planning, a sprinkle of financial savvy and a pinch of determination, you may turn that dream home into a reality.

Luxury co-owned vacation homes

  • Pacaso$607,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba108 Carolina Blvd, Isle Of Palms, SC 29451
  • Pacaso$1,200,0001/8 ownershipOwn now4 bds4.5 ba307 Goldenrod Ave, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
  • Pacaso$1,099,0001/8 ownershipOwn now3 bds4 ba31851 Sea Level Dr, Malibu, CA 90265 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$549,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba3599 Ridgeline Drive, Park City, UT 84060
  • Pacaso$630,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba735 Betty Lane, Incline Village, NV 89451 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$379,0001/8 ownershipOwn now4 bds3.5 ba342 Palisades Circle #5, Olympic Valley, CA 96146 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$555,0001/8 ownershipOwn now3 bds2.5 ba253 Kolmar St, La Jolla, CA 92037 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$675,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds4 ba108 Windwood Circle, Breckenridge, CO 80424 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$907,0001/8 ownershipOwn now6 bds8 ba2488 Avalon Ave, Avalon, NJ 08202
  • Pacaso$410,0001/8 ownershipOwn now4 bds3 ba237 Basque Dr, Truckee, CA 96161
  • Pacaso$607,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba108 Carolina Blvd, Isle Of Palms, SC 29451

    View all

We’ll examine what it takes to afford a million-dollar home, including annual income, mortgage payments and other ownership costs. While learning how to afford a million-dollar home, you’ll also see the unexpected costs, tax implications and possible advantages of buying a million-dollar vacation home.

What annual salary do you need to afford a million-dollar house?

To comfortably afford a home valued at $1 million, financial experts recommend an annual salary between $269,000 and $366,000.This range, however, is subject to variation depending on your:
  • Annual income
  • Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
  • Credit score
  • Available down payment
  • Current interest rates
How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (17)
It’s crucial to consider these factors to determine your financial ability to manage a mortgage on a $1 million home. Your income may ultimately decide if you rent or buy the home.

Example: If you put down 20% ($200,000) and have few monthly expenses, you can likely secure a mortgage with a good interest rate (say, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 7%). This would bring your monthly mortgage payment to about $5,300 before factoring in property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Even if your after-tax earnings are $200,000 annually, that’s still a quarter of your income going just to principal and interest. If your credit is low or your down payment isn’t as high, expect the monthly cost to be substantially more.With a 20% down payment, typical closing costs can be more than 2%, meaning an additional $16,000 on top of the $200,000 you’ll put down. That initial payment, DTI and credit score will determine your monthly mortgage.

Expected and unexpected expenses of owning a million-dollar home

It’s important to plan for expenses beyond the mortgage. Here are a few things to factor in: mortgage insurance, property taxes and possible HOA fees.Although mortgage insurance isn’t always necessary, your lender may require it if you supply a low down payment. If you put less than 20% down on a home, most lenders require private mortgage insurance (PMI). This can cost over 1% of the value of your loan. If you put down $200,000, you would likely need to pay an additional $375 monthly for PMI.Property taxes are also an important factor to consider. Rates are set by local jurisdictions so check with your real estate agent. The average national property tax rate is about 1%, so an extra $10,000 per year, or $833 per month, for a million-dollar home.If your neighborhood has a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll be charged monthly HOA fees on top of your mortgage. HOAs have additional regulations and codes agreed upon by neighbors. You may also need to seek approval for certain projects or renovations.In addition to the expense above, consider the cost of
  • Home and yard maintenance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Possible property management
It’s important to know what to expect so you can factor all expenses into your finance plan.

Tax implications of a million-dollar home

You might not anticipate how your new home will affect your income taxes. For example, you can lose potential tax savings if your mortgage interest exceeds the current deduction threshold.The mortgage interest tax deduction has a limit of $750,000, which means that if you put down less than $250,000, you will incur “lost” tax savings each year until your principal loan balance drops below $750,000.If you decide to rent out your $1 million second home, you won’t be able to claim the mortgage interest deduction, but you could end up with tax-free rental income due to the various deductions for landlords. However, this can be a complicated adjustment, and finding renters and managing a rental — or short-term rental property — can be a hassle.

Financing strategies: How to buy a million-dollar house

Financing a mortgage on a million-dollar home doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there are three financing strategies available for those who have the income for a million-dollar home.
How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (18)
Paying interest on a large loan may seem intimidating, but with these financing tools, you’re one step closer to your million-dollar dream home.

Large down payments

Paying a larger down payment upfront can help you minimize the amount of interest you’ll pay on your principal. Although 20% is generally expected by lenders, providing more can help make your bid more competitive and potentially lower your mortgage payments.

Jumbo mortgages

If your home’s price exceeds the conventional loan limits set by your state — generally over one million dollars — you may require financing via a jumbo loan. These non-conforming loans may require a down payment of as little as 5% and are not subject to limits set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Check with your county and lender to see if you qualify for a jumbo mortgage.

Home equity loans

A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may help current homeowners pay for a mortgage on a million-dollar house. These financing tools work by leveraging the equity of your primary residence as a means of financing when buying a second home.

Simplified ownership of a million-dollar second home

And what if your million-dollar dream home is for vacations, not your primary residence? Those are hefty expenses for a home that you won’t use year-round. This is why many second home buyers are opting for co-ownership.
How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (19)
Pacaso offers a modern way to buy a million-dollar second home. Our LLC model lets you co-own a luxury second home for as little as one-eighth of the home’s price, increasing your buying power and allowing you to own more house for less money. Pacaso takes care of the home’s maintenance, bill payments and management.

Co-ownership

Prospective second home owners are embracing Pacaso’s fully managed LLC co-ownership model. It offers the benefits of real estate ownership at a lower cost than whole home ownership and without property maintenance and management hassles.

Hassle-free second home ownership

  • Pacaso$607,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba108 Carolina Blvd, Isle Of Palms, SC 29451
  • Pacaso$1,200,0001/8 ownershipOwn now4 bds4.5 ba307 Goldenrod Ave, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
  • Pacaso$1,099,0001/8 ownershipOwn now3 bds4 ba31851 Sea Level Dr, Malibu, CA 90265 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$549,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba3599 Ridgeline Drive, Park City, UT 84060
  • Pacaso$630,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba735 Betty Lane, Incline Village, NV 89451 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$379,0001/8 ownershipOwn now4 bds3.5 ba342 Palisades Circle #5, Olympic Valley, CA 96146 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$555,0001/8 ownershipOwn now3 bds2.5 ba253 Kolmar St, La Jolla, CA 92037 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$675,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds4 ba108 Windwood Circle, Breckenridge, CO 80424 5% Financing
  • Pacaso$907,0001/8 ownershipOwn now6 bds8 ba2488 Avalon Ave, Avalon, NJ 08202
  • Pacaso$410,0001/8 ownershipOwn now4 bds3 ba237 Basque Dr, Truckee, CA 96161
  • Pacaso$607,0001/8 ownershipOwn now5 bds5 ba108 Carolina Blvd, Isle Of Palms, SC 29451

    View all

Thanks to our transparent pricing model, you won’t be surprised by added expenses. And with our banking partners, Pacaso offers buyers access to a competitive-rate mortgage for up to 70% of the home’s share price.You can easily and equitably book time in your home two days to two years in advance. Pacaso homes are used exclusively by owners and their guests and are never get rented. And each owner has their own secure storage space in the home, so packing is minimal. Check out our listings and learn more about how Pacaso can help you own the million-dollar home of your dreams.Learning how to afford a million-dollar home means keeping expected and unexpected expenses in mind, simplifying ownership responsibilities and finding the best financing strategies that work for your financial goals.

How to afford a million-dollar home FAQ

Is now a good time to buy a million-dollar home?

Your readiness to buy a million-dollar home depends on your personal finances.

How much do you need to make to afford a million-dollar home?

The annual income to afford a million-dollar home is between $269,000 and $366,000.

What is a good down payment for a 1 million-dollar house?

In general, a 20% down payment is recommended. Putting 20% of the home price down for a million-dollar home results in a $200,000 down payment.

What are the benefits of buying a million-dollar house?

Some benefits of buying a million-dollar house include potentially profiting from value appreciation and the ability to retire there when you’re ready to do so.

What is the 28% rule?

The 28% rule refers to the percentage of your gross monthly income you should consider spending on your housing costs. According to this rule, you should only use 28% of your salary for million-dollar home purchases.

How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (31)

Tony Huynh

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How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso (2024)

FAQs

How to Afford a Million-Dollar Home - Pacaso | Pacaso? ›

To comfortably afford a home valued at $1 million, financial experts recommend an annual salary between $269,000 and $366,000. This range, however, is subject to variation depending on your: Annual income. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

How much should I make to afford a 1 million dollar house? ›

Using all of the same information in the example above, but shifting the downpayment from 20% to 10%, the monthly mortgage payment on a $1 million home would be $7,295. And in this case, your gross annual income would need to be $225,000 to $240,000.

Can you finance Pacaso? ›

Financing a Pacaso second home

Buyers can pay for their co-ownership share in a few different ways. You can pay with cash, cryptocurrency, a HELOC or personal line of credit, or special financing. Through our banking partners, you can access competitive loan rates and enjoy a fast and easy application process.

How are people affording million dollar homes? ›

Apply for a jumbo loan

These loans exceed the limits set by government-sponsored entities, making them suitable for million-dollar homes. Jumbo loans often require a strong credit score, a low debt-to-income ratio, and, typically, a higher down payment.

How does Pacaso homes make money? ›

Pacaso fees and a markup on the property's market value are actually how the company turns a profit. Your co-owner group will be paying for property management in the long run, as with any other high-end vacation home.

Can I buy a million dollar home with 100k salary? ›

And, here is the answer to the question: You need anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 in income to buy a $1 million dollar home right now. The reason there is so much variance is because there are so many factors that impact qualification, including: Size of down payment. Property tax rates.

What income do you need for an $800000 mortgage? ›

If you earn at least $240,000 to $300,000 a year, you may be able to afford an $800,000 mortgage, assuming you have no significant other debts. But the exact amount you can qualify to borrow — even if you're in that salary range or higher — will depend on several other variables, including your credit score.

What percentage of people own a million dollar home? ›

Nearly one-in-ten U.S. homes are now worth at least $1 million. Analysis from Redfin has found that 8.2% of homes in America were million-dollar homes as of June 2023, nearing the June 2022 peak of 8.6%.

Do most millionaires own their homes? ›

Most have paid off their mortgages. In 2020, 58% of the state's equity millionaires owned their homes free and clear.

How do millionaires pay for houses? ›

To simplify things, rich people take out mortgages even though they don't need them because it is extremely profitable for them to do so. It really is that simple.

Who competes with Pacaso homes? ›

Top 22 Pacaso competitors
  • GR Group. Website: grgroup.org. ...
  • Ivory Homes. Website: ivoryhomes.es. ...
  • Luxury Places - Fine Homes of Switzerland. Website: luxury-places.ch. ...
  • VillaCircle. Website: villacircle.com. ...
  • REMAX Domus Nova. Website: remaxdomusnova.it. ...
  • Da Alohas. ...
  • Travel & Leisure Group Ltd. ...
  • 2nd Chance Investment Group.

What is the unicorn status of Pacaso? ›

Today, Pacaso's customers co-own homes across the U.S. and Europe in 40 markets — from a house in California wine country to a villa in Ibiza, Spain. Six months after launch, the business scored a $1 billion valuation, record timing in the startup world for achieving coveted unicorn status.

Is Pacaso like a timeshare? ›

With Pacaso co-ownership, you enjoy the benefits of second home ownership without the hassles. Unlike timeshares, a Pacaso is a fully managed vacation home with a property-specific LLC controlled by the two to eight co-owners of the home.

How much would a $1 million dollar house cost a month? ›

Monthly payments for a $1,000,000 mortgage
Interest rateMonthly payment (15 year)Monthly payment (30 year)
6.25%$8,574.23$6,157.17
6.50%$8,711.07$6,320.68
6.75%$8,849.09$6,485.98
7.00%$8,988.28$6,653.02
5 more rows

How much money should you have saved to buy a million dollar house? ›

For a $1 million home, you're likely to need a minimum of $200,000 to $300,000 saved for that purpose. But a down payment isn't the only thing to save for. Home buyers have to consider closing costs on their home purchase, too. Closing fees typically start around 2% of the buyer's mortgage loan amount.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year? ›

One rule of thumb is that the cost of your home should not exceed three times your income. On a salary of $70k, that would be $210,000. This is only one way to estimate your budget, however, and it assumes that you don't have a lot of other debts.

How much home can I afford with a 250k salary? ›

250k Salary and Low Credit

If you have only a small monthly debt ($250/mo) your purchase budget is $763,500. A modest monthly debt of $500/mo reduces your purchase budget to $737,200. The above estimates do not include a down payment, so borrowers may be able to offset a low credit score by paying more up front.

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