Aramis and Danielle Bisset, both in their mid-20s, have been married for 4 years and have two preschool-age children. Ben has an accounting degree and is employed as a cost accountant at an annual salary of $62,000. They’re now renting a duplex but wish to buy a home in the suburbs of their rapidly developing city. They’ve decided they can afford a $415,000 house and hope to find one with the features they desire in a good neighborhood. 

The insurance costs on such a home are expected to be $1,000 per year, taxes are expected to be $2,500 per year, and annual utility bills are estimated at $1,800—an increase of $500 over those they pay in the duplex. The Bisset’s are considering financing their home with a fixed-rate, 30-year, 6 percent mortgage. The lender charges 2 points on mortgages with 20 percent down and 3 points if less than 20 percent is put down (the commercial bank that the Bisset’s will deal with requires a minimum of 10 percent down). Other closing costs are estimated at 5 percent of the home’s purchase price. Because of their excellent credit record, the bank will probably be willing to let the Bisset’s’ monthly mortgage payments (principal and interest portions) equal as much as 28 percent of their monthly gross income. Since getting married, the Bisset’s have been saving for the purchase of a home and now have $44,000 in their savings account.

1. How much would the Bisset’s have to put down if the lender required a minimum 20 percent down payment? Could they afford it?

2. Given that the Bisset’s want to put only $25,000 down, how much would their closing costs be?

3. Using a $25,000 down payment on a $215,000 home, what would the Bisset’s loan-to-value ratio be? Assuming property taxes are $2,500 and insurance is $800, calculate the monthly mortgage payments on a PITI basis.

4. What recommendations would you make to the Bisset’s? Explain.