Debt-to-Income Ratio

Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to determine the most you can pay monthly after your other recurring debts are paid.

Understanding your qualifying ratio

Most 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 your gross monthly income that can go to housing (including loan principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance, property tax, and HOA dues).

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

Some example data:

With a 28/36 ratio

• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .28 = $756 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .36 = $972 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio

• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .29 = $783 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .41 = $1,107 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

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

Just Guidelines

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

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