Can I Afford This House?

Don’t let your dream house turn into a monthly struggle. Know your numbers. Prestiq helps you plan smart so you can buy with peace of mind. Read more now.

Nindot kaayo ang feeling nga mopalit na ka sa imong unang balay, noh? (The feeling of buying your first home feels amazing, right?). The excitement, the plans, the Pinterest boards—murag damgo ba. (feels like a dream)

But let’s be honest—how do you really know what you can afford?

Ayaw pasagdi ang banko o ang uban tawo magbuot para nimo. Lain-lain ta’g sitwasyon. Just because it worked for your cousin or neighbor doesn’t mean it will be perfect for you. (Don’t let the bank or other people decide for you. Everyone’s situation is different.)

Just because your cousin can pay ₱25K a month for their house doesn’t mean you can—or should.

Mura ra gud na og moadto ka og Carbon unya imong budget kay ₱1,000 ra (It’s like going to Carbon with a ₱1,000 budget). Some people can buy full groceries—meat, fruits, mohapit pa jud og kwek-kwek og puto bumbong. But for others? Eggs, sardinas, og bugas lang usa sa pagkakaron.

Okay ra gyud na ang duha. As long as kabalo ka sa imong limitasyon. (Both are okay—as long as you know your limits.)

Ang tinuod nga goal? Makapuyo ka nga komportable, unya dili ka maguol kada petsa de peligro. (The goal is simple: you should still live comfortably even after the monthly bills.)

Not just having a house—but having peace of mind nga makabayad ka sa balay, makakaon gihapon og tarong, og makalakaw pa usahay. (…that you can pay your mortgage, still eat well, and go out once in a while.)

Finding the perfect balance between comfort right now and peace of mind later is the real goal.

Curious how you can find that sweet spot for yourself?

Keep reading and learn how much house you can truly afford right here in Cebu.

Start with the 28/36 Rule — But Don’t Overthink It

Excited naka mopalit og balay diri sa Cebu? Of course, it’s exciting—but let’s be real, medyo kulba sad gamay. (So, you’re thinking about buying your first home in Cebu? That’s exciting—also a little nerve-racking, I know.)

Before you start browsing listings in Talisay or asking your cousin in Mandaue about that “secret subdivision,” you need to understand one thing: YOUR BUDGET.

And that’s where the 28/36 rule comes in.

What's the 28/36 Rule?

Simple ra. It helps you know kung pila ra ang dapat nimo igasto sa balay kada buwan. (The 28/36 rule helps you know how much money you should spend on your home.)

It says your monthly home costs (like your monthly loan payment, bills, and taxes) shouldn’t be more than 28% of what you earn each month. Also, all your debt payments (like car loans, credit cards) shouldn’t be more than 36% of your monthly income.

If imong sweldo kay ₱50,000 kada buwan, dapat ₱14,000 ra ang max para sa balay-balay nga gasto.

Apil na ang bayad sa loan, insurance, og uban pa.

Then, ang total utang nimo (motor, credit card, tanan) dapat below ₱18,000.

(For example, if you earn ₱50,000 each month, you shouldn’t spend more than ₱14,000 on housing expenses. Your total debt payments, including that five-year motorcycle loan you signed for in Motortrade, should stay under ₱18,000.)

Stricto ba gyud ni siya? (Should this be strict?)

Dili pud. But it gives you a good idea kung asa ka dapat mag-set sa imong limit.

Kay ang bangko? Mao na ilang basehan.

Whether kahibaw ka or wala—ila gihapon kang kwentahan. (Ngee mangwenta hehe)

(Does this rule apply strictly? Not always. But it’s a good place to start, especially when banks in the Philippines size you up for loan approval. Trust me, they’ll run their numbers—with or without you.)

Writing Down Your Monthly Income and Expenses

Excited naka mangita og balay? Nice kaayo na. But before ka mag-scanscan og listings sa Facebook or mo-contact sa imong amiga nga ahente og real estate, mas makatabang jud if kwentahon sa nato atong finances daan.

(Excited to browse for you dream house? It’s an amazing feeling. Before you start house hunting or messaging your real estate agent friend, it could really help to check your finances first.)

And not just the payslip ha. Ayaw kaayo tan-aw anang gross income—lisod kaayo na.

Not what you “should” earn, but what you actually take home.

(That dreamy payslip number? It’s not the real picture. What matters is what actually lands in your account.)

Start with your net income—ang kwarta nga moabot human kuhaan sa tax, SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, og yes, even that salary loan nga murag wa na nimo na-monitor.

(That’s after tax, SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth—and yes, even that salary loan you kinda forgot.)

Then break it down:

Essentials: groceries, electricity, water, internet (hi, Converge), Netflix, gas
Transport: jeepney fare, tricycle rides, maybe the occasional Grab kung uwan
Debt payments: credit cards, personal loans, utang sa tita nga sige’g follow-up
Everyday extras: Jollibee, pungko-pungko, Shopee checkouts, Moalboal weekend na “last na gyud ni”

Write it all down – yes, apil na ang kape nga tag ₱39 (hello Don M…)

Subtract it from your net income.

Whatever’s left? That’s your real budget for housing. Not just the monthly mortgage, Not just what you think you can afford—but the number that won’t keep you up at 2 a.m. wondering how to survive and won’t leave you eating instant noodles until the 30th.

Watch Out for Extra (and Sneaky) Costs — Kay Dili Ra Loan ang Bayran

Yes, naka-decide naka. Nindot na kaayo ang balay nga imong ganahan. Nakakwenta naka sa monthly loan.

(Yes, you’ve finally decided. The house you want looks great. You’ve even computed the monthly loan.)

Pero ayaw kumpiyansa, ha. Buying a house doesn’t stop at the bank.

(But don’t get too confident—buying a house doesn’t end with getting approved for a loan.)

Daghan pa ka’g bayran nga usahay mas sakit pa sa loan.

(There are still other expenses—and sometimes, they hurt more than the loan itself.)

Let’s start with the basics:

Real Property Tax (RPT): Bayran ni once a year. Dipende sa location sa imong balay, lahi-lahi pud ang presyo.
(This is paid once a year. The amount depends on where your house is located.)
Association Dues: Naa ka sa subdivision or condo? Expect monthly bayad para sa security guard, suga sa kalsada, ug basura.
(Living in a subdivision or condo? Expect monthly fees for security guards, streetlights, and trash collection.)
Repairs and Maintenance: Unsa man kung mokalit og leak ang imong atop? Or maguba ang gripo? Or ang paint, murag mapaksit na padong? All that needs money.
(What if the roof suddenly leaks? Or the faucet breaks? Or the paint starts peeling? All of that costs money.)
Move-in Costs: Ayaw kalimot sa ginagmay nga gasto. Palit ug kurtina, trisikad delivery, and maybe a new ref kay ang gikan sa boarding house, di na gyud kasaligan.
(Don’t forget the small things. Buying curtains, hooks, trisikad delivery fees, and maybe a new refrigerator—because the one from your boarding house can’t be trusted anymore.)

Naay amiga nako niingon, “Buying the house was easy. Filling it drained my wallet.”

(A friend once told me, “Buying the house was easy. Filling it up drained my wallet.”)

And tinuod gyud. Sakto siya. So before ka moingon ug “Sige, kuhaon na nako ni,”. Set aside money for the extras

(And it’s true. She was right. So before you say, “Okay, I’ll take this house,” Set aside money for these extra costs.)

Kay mas maayo nang andam kaysa magkurog sa katugnaw sa kwarto kay wala na’y budget palit ug habol.

(Because it’s better to be prepared than to freeze in your new room in silence—because there’s no money left to buy a blanket.)

Why the Down Payment Matters

The down payment is the first big payment you make when buying a house. It’s usually 10% to 20% of the total price of the house.

So if the house costs ₱2 million, you’ll need around ₱200,000 to ₱400,000 ready to go. Some banks in the Philippines require at least 20%. Pag-IBIG is more flexible, but their loans may be smaller.

Yes, it’s a big amount. It can feel like a mountain to climb. But here’s why saving up for it is worth it:

The bigger your down payment, the smaller your monthly payments.
You’ll have better chances of getting approved for a loan. Banks will see you’re serious and financially ready. They feel more “safe” lending to you. (Dili na sila magduha-duha og approve, ba.)
You’ll pay less interest in the long run. (That’s money you can use for other things—like home repairs or your kid’s tuition.)

Wait—what’s equity?

Equity means how much of the house you truly own. When you pay a down payment, that part of the house is already yours. The rest? The bank still owns it until you finish paying the loan.

So if you paid ₱400,000 as down payment on a ₱2 million house, that ₱400,000 is your equity from day one.

And the more equity you have, the more power you have. Later on, if you want to sell your house or use it as collateral, that equity helps a lot.

So if you’ve been saving in your MP2, filling up that “Para Sa Balay Fund” envelope, or skipping Shopee to put money aside—keep going.

You’re not just buying a house. You’re buying peace of mind, security, and a head start toward full ownership.

Don’t Forget Your Emergency Fund (And a Little Fun, Too)

Life can be full of surprises. Sometimes, someone in the family gets sick. Or your car breaks down in the middle of traffic (hi, Minglanilla hehe) —on a rainy Monday, no less (gi-timing gyud ba).

That’s why having an emergency fund is not optional—it’s a must.

What’s that? It’s money saved up just in case something unexpected happens. Try to save enough to cover 3 to 6 months of your regular expenses. This includes your food, bills, transportation, and other basic needs.

And no, ayaw i-invest sa crypto nga “sure win” daw ingon sa imong barkada (this money shouldn’t be in some risky online app or a friend’s “sure win” investment).

Keep it somewhere safe and easy to access—like a savings account that you don’t touch unless it’s really needed.

Now here’s the part people often forget: Can you still enjoy life after buying the house?

Yes, you want to be a homeowner—but you shouldn’t have to give up everything else that makes you happy.

You should still have enough to:

Celebrate fiestas with family
Go out with friends
Say yes to lechon Sundays
Join that quick trip to Moalboal or Bantayan (Last nalang na ha)

Owning a house is a big step, but it shouldn’t feel like a heavy burden.

So before you commit, ask yourself: After paying the bills, can I still breathe?

If the answer is yes—then maybe you’re really ready.

Use a Mortgage Calculator—It's Super Helpful!

Not sure how much house you can afford? Don’t guess—use a mortgage calculator!

It’s a free and easy tool that helps you figure out how much your monthly payment might be. You just need to type in:

The price of the house
Your down payment
How long you plan to pay (10, 15, or even 30 years)
The interest rate (usually around 6.5% to 8.5%)

The calculator will give you an estimate of your monthly payments. It won’t include extras like taxes, insurance, or subdivision fees—but it’s still a great starting point.

Try using Prestiq’s mortgage calculator today. It’s fast, simple, and made with Filipino homebuyers in mind.

One last tip: Make sure your monthly payment still leaves you with money for daily life—like food, emergencies, and a little fun.

Yes, owning a house is great, but being house poor (where all your money goes to the house) isn’t the goal.

Our goal is to help everyone feel stable and happy at the same time.

If you can pay your loan and still have a little fun, eat well, and sleep peacefully, that’s the real win—for you and for us.

It Feels Great to Buy Your First Home—But It Feels Even Better When You Know What You Can Truly Afford

Nindot kaayo ang feeling nga mopalit na ka sa imong unang balay, noh? (Feels amazing to buy your first house, right?)

Pero mas nindot kung kabalo ka gyud kung unsa imong kaya bayran.

It’s not just about having a house—it’s about living comfortably, not getting stressed every month when bills come in.

When choosing a home, think about what fits your life—not just today, but in the long run.

Dili lang ang income nimo karon ang importante, kundi ang imong kalinaw ug kasiguraduhan sa umaabot. (It’s not just about your income today, it’s also about your peace of mind tomorrow.)

That’s why smart homeownership starts with smart planning.

Take time to know your budget, and be honest with what fits you.

A home you can afford means a life you can still enjoy.

If you’re still figuring things out, try using our mortgage calculator.

And if you feel ready—or almost ready—you can browse through Prestiq’s listings anytime.

Wala’y pressure. Just giving you options.

And if you find something you like, or want help choosing a house nga komportable ka bayran every month—walay stress, walay mahay— fill up lang sa Contact form sa ubos dayon kami mo contact nimo.

(…or want help choosing a house that’s comfortable for you to pay every month—no stress, no regrets—just fill out the contact form below and we’ll get in touch with you.)

We’re here to help you find a house that gives you comfort and peace of mind.

Kay dili lang ni basta balay ang imong gipangita—kalinaw sad sa huna-huna.
(You’re not just buying a house—you’re buying peace of mind.)