Ratio of Debt to Income
Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to determine your maximum monthly payment after you've paid your other recurring debts.
About your qualifying ratio
For the most part, conventional mortgage loans need a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are a little less restrictive, requiring a 29/41 ratio.
The first number in a qualifying ratio is the maximum amount (as a percentage) of your gross monthly income that can go to housing costs (this includes 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 which can be spent on housing expenses and recurring debt together. For purposes of this ratio, debt includes payments on credit cards, auto payments, child support, etcetera.
Examples:
With a 28/36 ratio
- Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .28 = $2,240 can be applied to housing
- Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .36 = $2,280 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses
With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio
- Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .29 = $2,320 can be applied to housing
- Gross monthly income of $8,000 x .41 = $3,280 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses
If you want to run your own numbers, use this Mortgage Loan Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Don't forget these are only guidelines. We'd be happy to help you pre-qualify to help you determine how much you can afford.
At The Mortgage Exchange Service LLC, we answer questions about qualifying all the time. Call us at 703.255-5810.