Debt-to-Income Ratio

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

Understanding your qualifying ratio

For the most part, 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) qualifying 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 costs (this includes principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance, property tax, and homeowners' association dues).

The second number is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that should be applied to housing expenses and recurring debt together. Recurring debt includes auto/boat payments, child support and credit card payments.

Some example data:

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 calculate pre-qualification numbers with your own financial data, please use this Mortgage Loan Qualification Calculator.

Guidelines Only

Remember these are only guidelines. We will be happy to pre-qualify you to help you determine how large a mortgage you can afford.

At Reliance Mortgage Service, Inc, we answer questions about qualifying all the time. Give us a call at 562 320-0510.