Welcome to the right place for these questions,
How long do you plan to stay in Sweden? Definition of expat is someone moving for a limited period of time. An immigrant is someone moving permanently (permanent eller tillsvidare).
If you are a true exapt, thereby staying in Sweden for a certain amount of time: 2, 3 or 5 years; I would not recommend buying an apartment if you have a first hand contract and 35% of net income in expenses.
To your questions:
- Is 53% of net income based monthly fixed expences or housing expences?
What is your gross income? The banks will loan you based on gross salary, maximum 4.5x early gross salary (exceptions exist). Generally this forum will not recommend a loan over 4x (as long as you have good salary trajectory).
Familiy planning should affect your choice of flexible, or fixed (2,3,5,10 yr) rate.
Start contacting banks to play with the size of the mortgage, monthly payments etc. This will result in a “lånelöfte” from a bank which is the first (non-binding) step to getting a loan. You can use their online tool from the major banks. Some banks are easier/harder to work with as non-Swedes (depending on how long you’ve been here). - Here you can find a longer discussion regarding the change in policy for mortgage:
Niklas Wykman (M): ”Någon form av lättnad kring bolånereglerna, kommer vi gå fram med”
Utredare föreslår lindrat amorteringskrav