(Updated May 2025)

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, and we’re here to make it easier for you with our free, user-friendly house buying spreadsheet. This powerful tool is designed to help you manage your money, track your spending, and determine if you can truly afford your dream home.

If you’re looking for a worksheet to calculate costs or creating a plan to save for that down payment, then this spreadsheet has everything you need. It even highlights possible tax benefits, helping you make smarter financial decisions along the way.

Get started by signing up to download this essential resource and take the first step toward creating a clear financial plan for your future home. This house buying spreadsheet is your key to simplifying and organizing the process.

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Home Buying Spreadsheet Template

You can copy and paste this template into Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to track your home buying process. The columns and rows include all the relevant financial aspects and built-in calculations.

What’s in Our Home Buying Spreadsheet Template (Google Sheets, Excel)

You can copy and paste this template into Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to track your home buying process. The columns and rows include all the relevant financial aspects and built-in calculations. If you’re planning to buy a home, organization is key. A home buying spreadsheet template in Google Sheets can help you manage your finances effectively and make informed decisions.

Like calculating your mortgage payment or factoring in maintenance and property taxes, below explains what to include and how to track essential details. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories to consider when building your home buying spreadsheet.

Purchase Price

Input the total cost of the house you want to buy. This is the starting point for all other calculations in your spreadsheet. If the house you’re considering costs $300,000, enter that amount in the Purchase Price section. This figure will shape your down payment, mortgage calculations, and associated fees.

Down Payment

Enter the amount you’ve saved for the down payment. A typical down payment is between 10–20% of the purchase price. Use a formula like =(home list price)*0.20 to calculate 20% of the purchase price automatically. For example, if your house costs $300,000, your 20% down payment would be $60,000. Saving for a down payment requires discipline in spending, so be sure to evaluate this section realistically.

Mortgage Payment

Estimate how much your monthly mortgage payment will be. This includes both the principal and interest. Use an online mortgage calculator or consult with a financial advisor to get an accurate estimate. Keep in mind that this number significantly impacts your monthly budget and should be manageable relative to your income and debt-to-income ratio.

Property Taxes

Property taxes are recurring expenses that you need to account for in your budget. These taxes vary by location but are typically calculated as an annual cost. If your annual property taxes are $3,600, divide that figure by 12 and plan for $300 per month. Accurately accounting for property taxes in your spreadsheet can help you avoid unexpected financial strain.

Closing Costs

Closing costs cover legal, lender, and administrative fees required to finalize your home purchase. These costs typically range from 2–5% of the purchase price.

Use a formula like =B2*0.03 for a quick estimate of 3%. On a $300,000 house, for instance, you might expect to pay $9,000 in closing costs. These one-time expenses are crucial to include in your home buying spreadsheet template to avoid last-minute surprises.

Monthly Budget

Your spreadsheet should track the total monthly budget for all housing-related expenses. This goes beyond just the mortgage payment and includes property taxes and sometimes additional costs like homeowner’s insurance. Make double sure that this figure aligns with your overall spending plan and doesn’t exceed what you can comfortably afford. Use this as a reality check that keeps your dream of homeownership financially wise.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

Calculate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to ensure your finances are healthy enough for a mortgage. Lenders typically prefer a DTI ratio of 36% or lower. This is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying debt.

For instance, if you earn $5,000 per month and your total monthly debt payments are $1,500, your DTI would be 30% ($1,500 ÷ $5,000).

Savings

Track your savings specifically allocated for homeownership in this section. Regular updates ensure you know how much you have available for the down payment, maintenance, or as an emergency fund. Being diligent with savings is an essential part of educating yourself about the financial responsibilities of owning a home.

Insurance Costs

Don’t forget to budget for annual homeowners’ insurance. This usually depends on factors like the home’s value, location, and coverage level. Add this as a line item in your home buying spreadsheet to anticipate future spending accurately. This will also give you a clearer picture of the total cost of homeownership.

Other Expenses

Additional costs, such as maintenance, repairs, or HOA (Homeowners Association) fees, should be tracked here. Remember, maintenance is an ongoing expense.

Planning for these less obvious costs ensures you’re not caught off guard by roof repairs, plumbing issues, or other unexpected home-related expenses. Proactively budgeting for these helps protect your money and keeps you financially secure.

Why Use a Google Sheets Template for Home Buying?

Creating a home buying spreadsheet template in Google Sheets offers flexibility and organization. You can easily customize it to fit your unique needs, track expenses in real-time, and share it with advisors or partners for collaboration.

Include categories like money, maintenance, and property taxes so you’ll have a clear understanding of your financial situation. This helps make sure that your dream home doesn’t become an unmanageable expense.

Tips for Using Your Home Buying Spreadsheet

1. Regularly Update Your Data – Things like tracking savings or adjusting for a new property tax estimate can help you keep yourself current.
2. Double-Check Calculations – Use built-in Google Sheets formulas to do the math for you, reducing errors.
3. Plan for the Unexpected – Include a buffer in your savings for unforeseen circumstances like emergency repairs or rate increases.

This educational resource empowers you to make smart financial decisions and avoid overspending.

Accessible on your computer, this downloadable spreadsheet works seamlessly with Google Sheets or as an Excel file, making it convenient for every user. From balancing your budget to maintaining control over closing costs, it’s a reliable tool to guide you through the home buying process. With features designed for affordability analysis, it helps you track everything from what you need to pay upfront to the monthly expenses you’ll need to handle as a homeowner.

Rows for Calculations and Estimates

1. Estimated Total Costs – Sum of purchase price, closing costs, and down payment. (Use =SUM(B2, B5, B3) in Excel or Sheets.)
2. Monthly Housing Costs – Combine monthly mortgage payment, taxes, and insurance expenses. (Use =SUM(C3:C6) for calculations.)
3. Remaining Savings Post-Down Payment – Subtract down payment from total savings. (Use =C8 – B3).
4. Budget Breach Alert – Add a cell to notify if monthly housing costs exceed 30% of income. (Use Conditional Formatting in Google Sheets.)

Tips for Use

• Save this as a Google Sheets file on your Google Drive account for easy access.
• Adjust the template to fit your own home buying needs.
• Use this tool to determine affordability before making a purchase decision.
• Regularly review your finances, taxes, and homeowner-related expenses.

This home buying spreadsheet is a simple yet effective resource for navigating the home purchase process with confidence.

Check Back for Updates

We’re always working to improve your house buying experience. Check back regularly for updates to the spreadsheet, including enhanced features, better tools for budgeting, and new resources to help you manage your finances. If it’s simplifying calculations or adding insights on tax benefits and spending, then we’re committed to keeping this tool as helpful and reliable as possible. Stay connected and make the most of this free resource, your dream home is just a few steps away.

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If you’re planning to buy your first house or your next investment property, then we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Join today and unlock the knowledge and support you need to achieve your real estate goals.