Ratio of Debt-to-Income

Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to determine your maximum monthly payment after your other recurring debts are paid.

About the qualifying ratio

For the most part, conventional loans need a qualifying ratio of 28/36. An FHA loan will usually allow for a higher debt load, reflected in a higher (29/41) ratio.

The first number in a qualifying ratio is the maximum amount (as a percentage) of gross monthly income that can be applied to housing (this includes loan principal and interest, PMI, hazard insurance, property tax, and HOA dues).

The second number is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income which can be applied to housing expenses and recurring debt. For purposes of this ratio, debt includes credit card payments, vehicle payments, child support, and the like.

For example:

28/36 (Conventional)

• Gross monthly income of $3,500 x .28 = $980 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $3,500 x .36 = $1,260 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio

• Gross monthly income of $3,500 x .29 = $1,015 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $3,500 x .41 = $1,435 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

If you want to calculate pre-qualification numbers with your own financial data, we offer a Loan Pre-Qualifying Calculator.

Guidelines Only

Remember these are just guidelines. We'd be happy to help you pre-qualify to determine how much you can afford.

Reliance Mortgage Service, Inc can answer questions about these ratios and many others. Give us a call: 562 320-0510.