Mortgage Planning
HOA Fees and Maintenance Costs Affordability
HOA fees and maintenance costs in plain English. See how they add to monthly housing, check a quick low/medium/high table, and learn how to compare two scenarios without overcomplicating it.
Published: January 1, 2026 · Updated: January 1, 2026 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Open the stress tester
Enter HOA and maintenance assumptions, run a scenario, and compare two levels.
Disclaimer
- Educational only. Costs vary. No guarantees.
- Examples are illustrative.
Why these inputs matter
HOA dues and maintenance are ongoing claims on cash flow. Including them keeps DTI honest and shows how stress scenarios change when upkeep is higher or lower.
Example table
| Level | HOA | Maintenance | Total added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $100 | $75 | $175 |
| Medium | $200 | $150 | $350 |
| High | $350 | $250 | $600 |
How to compare scenarios
Keep all assumptions the same, change HOA or maintenance, rerun, and compare DTI percentiles and safe loan directionally. Label scenarios clearly.
FAQs
Should I include special assessments?
If expected, test a higher HOA amount to capture them.
How often to rerun?
Rerun when fees change. Note the date in labels.
Where is privacy info?
See Privacy Policy.
Model HOA and maintenance
Open the mortgage affordability stress tester, test low and high HOA/maintenance scenarios, and compare outputs.