Debt Ratios for Residential Lending
Your debt to income ratio is a tool lenders use to calculate how much money can be used for your monthly home loan payment after you have met your various other monthly debt payments.
About your qualifying ratio
Typically, underwriting for conventional mortgages needs a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are less restrictive, requiring a 29/41 ratio.
For these ratios, the first number is the percentage of your gross monthly income that can be spent on housing costs. This ratio is figured on your total payment, including hazard insurance, HOA dues, Private Mortgage Insurance - everything that makes up the full payment.
The second number is what percent of your gross income every month which can be spent on housing costs and recurring debt together. Recurring debt includes things like vehicle payments, child support and monthly credit card payments.
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 Mortgage Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Don't forget these are just guidelines. We will be thrilled to go over pre-qualification to help you determine how large a mortgage loan you can afford.
Metro Mortgage can answer questions about these ratios and many others. Give us a call at 866-300-1550.