Ratio of Debt to Income
Your debt to income ratio is a formula lenders use to determine how much of your income is available for your monthly mortgage payment after you meet your various other monthly debt payments.
About the qualifying ratio
Usually, underwriting for conventional mortgage loans needs a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are less strict, requiring a 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 costs (including loan principal and interest, PMI, homeowner's insurance, property taxes, and homeowners' association dues).
The second number in the ratio is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses and recurring debt together. Recurring debt includes payments on credit cards, auto payments, child support, etcetera.
Some example data:
28/36 (Conventional)
- 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 calculate pre-qualification numbers on your own income and expenses, we offer a Loan Qualifying Calculator.
Just Guidelines
Remember these ratios are just guidelines. We will be thrilled to help you pre-qualify to help you figure out how large a mortgage loan you can afford.
Executive Lending Group, LLC can answer questions about these ratios and many others. Give us a call at 8165258000.