Debt Ratios for Residential Lending
Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to determine your maximum monthly payment after your other monthly debts are paid.
Understanding your qualifying ratio
Typically, underwriting for conventional loans requires 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 your gross monthly income that can be spent on housing costs (this includes principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance, property tax, and homeowners' association 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. Recurring debt includes payments on credit cards, car payments, child support, etcetera.
Some example data:
With a 28/36 ratio
- Gross monthly income of $6,500 x .28 = $1,820 can be applied to housing
- Gross monthly income of $6,500 x .36 = $2,340 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses
With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio
- Gross monthly income of $6,500 x .29 = $1,885 can be applied to housing
- Gross monthly income of $6,500 x .41 = $2,665 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 Mortgage Loan Pre-Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Don't forget these ratios are just guidelines. We'd be happy to pre-qualify you to help you figure out how much you can afford.
At Foxfield Financial, we answer questions about qualifying all the time. Give us a call: 720-598-8300.