Can You Actually Afford an $800K House?

Free Ontario quiz — 7 questions, about 60 seconds. Brutally honest verdict, no sugar-coating.

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How it works

Lenders look at your income, down payment, debts, and credit — and compare your housing costs against guidelines (roughly 32% of gross income for housing costs, 40% including all debts). Answer 7 quick questions and we'll score where you stand on an $800,000 Ontario house — and tell you what to do next either way.

Your answers stay in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.

Recommended reading (affiliate link)

Home Buying Kit For Dummies, 7th Edition — plain-English walkthrough of budgeting, mortgages, agents, and closing, written for first-time buyers. A solid companion to the numbers above.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Not financial advice — and not a pre-approval

This quiz is general information only. It is not financial advice, not a mortgage pre-approval, and not a commitment to lend. GDS/TDS figures are industry guidelines, not approval rules — every lender applies its own criteria, including the federal mortgage stress test. Ontario only; rules differ elsewhere. For advice about your situation, speak to a licensed mortgage professional.

Frequently asked questions

Is this quiz a mortgage pre-approval?

No. This quiz is an educational estimate only. It is not a pre-approval, commitment to lend, or financial advice. Only a licensed mortgage professional can assess your actual borrowing capacity.

What do GDS and TDS mean?

GDS (Gross Debt Service) is your housing costs as a percentage of gross income; lenders generally look for under 32%. TDS (Total Debt Service) adds all other debts, with a general guideline of under 40%. These are industry guidelines, not approval guarantees.

Why an $800,000 house?

$800,000 is a realistic benchmark for many Ontario markets in 2026 — below average in Toronto, above average in smaller cities. The quiz adjusts its commentary based on the city you pick.

Is the quiz free?

Yes. The quiz is free and your answers stay in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.