Ratio of Debt to Income

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

How to figure your qualifying ratio

Usually, conventional mortgages 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 percentage of gross monthly income that can go to housing costs (including principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, property tax, and HOA dues).

The second number in the ratio is what percent of your gross income every month which can be applied to housing expenses and recurring debt together. For purposes of this ratio, debt includes payments on credit cards, car loans, child support, and the like.

Examples:

With a 28/36 ratio

• Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .28 = $2,240 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .36 = $2,280 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio

• Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .29 = $2,320 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .41 = $3,280 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

If you'd like to run your own numbers, we offer a Loan Qualifying Calculator.

Guidelines Only

Don't forget these ratios are only guidelines. We'd be thrilled to pre-qualify you to help you figure out how large a mortgage loan you can afford.

Reliance Mortgage Service, Inc can walk you through the pitfalls of getting a mortgage. Call us: 562 320-0510.