Debt/Income Ratio

Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to decide the most you can pay monthly after you've paid your other recurring loans.

How to figure the qualifying ratio

In general, underwriting for conventional mortgages requires a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are less restrictive, requiring a 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 (including loan principal and interest, PMI, homeowner's insurance, taxes, and homeowners' association dues).

The second number in the ratio is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that can be spent on housing expenses and recurring debt. Recurring debt includes things like auto payments, child support and monthly credit card payments.

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 want to calculate pre-qualification numbers with your own financial data, we offer a Mortgage Qualification Calculator.

Guidelines Only

Remember these ratios are only guidelines. We'd be thrilled to pre-qualify you to help you figure out how much you can afford.

Foxfield Financial can walk you through the pitfalls of getting a mortgage. Call us at 720-598-8300.