Debt Ratios for Home Lending

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The ratio of debt to income is a formula lenders use to calculate how much of your income is available for your monthly home loan payment after you meet your various other monthly debt payments.

About your qualifying ratio

Typically, underwriting for conventional mortgage loans needs a qualifying ratio of 28/36. An FHA loan will usually allow for a higher debt load, reflected in a higher (29/41) qualifying ratio.

In these ratios, the first number is how much (by percent) of your gross monthly income that can go toward housing. This ratio is figured on your total payment, including homeowners' insurance, homeowners' dues, PMI - everything that makes up the payment.

The second number in the ratio is what percent of your gross income every month that should be spent on housing expenses and recurring debt. Recurring debt includes things like auto/boat payments, child support and credit card payments.

Examples:

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 Pre-Qualifying Calculator.

Guidelines Only

Don't forget these ratios are just guidelines. We'd be happy to go over pre-qualification to help you figure out how much you can afford.

Financial Brokers of America can answer questions about these ratios and many others. Call us: 562-696-3139.