Debt-To-Income Ratios
Debt Ratios for Home Lending
Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to decide the most you can pay monthly after you have paid your other recurring loans.
About your qualifying ratio
Most underwriting for conventional mortgage loans needs a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are a little 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 (including loan principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance, property tax, and homeowners' association dues).
The second number is what percent of your gross income every month which can be applied to housing costs and recurring debt together. Recurring debt includes credit card payments, car loans, child support, and the like.
For example:
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 run your own numbers, feel free to use our Loan Qualification Calculator.