If your household income is around $130,000 per year, you might be wondering — can I actually afford a home like this one? Let’s walk through the numbers and see if it’s within reach.
With a $130K salary, your monthly gross income comes in around $10,800. If we stick to the general rule of keeping housing costs at or below 30% of your income, your ideal monthly budget would be around $3,200.
Now, this particular home — 5307 Halmark Drive in Austin, Texas (which is currently for sale 😉) — is listed at $589,900. A 10% down payment puts you at roughly $58,990 upfront. With an estimated 6.75% interest rate, and including property taxes and homeowners insurance, your monthly payment lands around $4,500. That’s clearly over the $3,200 a month target.
But here’s the twist — this home comes with a second unit.
The ADU at 5307 Halmark Drive
Whether you choose to live in the main house and rent out the back unit, or vice versa, that extra income potential changes everything.
Let’s look at a few rental options:
- Short-term rental (Airbnb-style): If you rent the second unit for $100 a night and it books for just 20 days a month, you could earn about $2,000 in gross rental income. After cleaning and maintenance expenses (let’s estimate $435/month), your net income would be about $1,500 per month.
- Subtract that from your $4,500 monthly mortgage payment, and you’re left with a net housing cost of $3,000/month — right on budget.
Prefer a long-term tenant?
- Longer-term rental: At $1,200/month in rent, you’d be comfortably within your affordability range with some breathing room.
Bottom Line – yes, this home can work within a $130K/year income, especially with the added rental flexibility.
Interested in checking out 5307 Halmark Drive or similar properties in Austin? Call me — I’d love to show you how this home could fit your lifestyle and your budget.
More about 5307 Halmark Drive, Austin, TX 78723:
🏡 Neighborhood Highlights
Mueller Community: A vibrant, walkable redevelopment with trails, retail, East Austin’s H‑E‑B with farm‑fresh café & evening music, The Thinkery children’s museum, and ample green spaces—including Lake Park and Mueller’s greenways.
Rosewood Neighborhood Park: A 17‑acre park featuring a community pool, splash pad, tennis courts, playscape, gym, and Rec Center—great for kids and families.
Recreation & Fitness: Nearby Morris Williams Park offers golf and green space; Harvey Penick Tennis Center serves up public courts; and the Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt has lush trails for walking or running.
Schools: Zoned for Kealing Middle School and McCallum High School, both about 1–1.5 miles away, highly accessible for families.
Dining & Daily Needs: The H‑E‑B at Mueller is only ~1 mile away—featuring a grocery, café Mueller stage, and evening events. Plus, Mueller offers a wide range of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
In short, 5307 Halmark Drive is situated in a lively, well-rounded neighborhood with:
- Fantastic green spaces & recreation ✅
- Excellent nearby schools ✅
- Easy access to grocery, dining, and markets ✅
- Wallet-friendly amenities like pools and trails ✅