Ratio of Debt-to-Income
Your ratio of debt to income is a formula lenders use to determine how much of your income is available for your monthly home loan payment after you have met your various other monthly debt payments.
About your qualifying ratio
In general, conventional loans need a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are less strict, 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 be applied to housing costs (including principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, property tax, and HOA dues).
The second number is what percent of your gross income every month that should be spent on housing costs and recurring debt together. Recurring debt includes payments on credit cards, auto payments, child support, and the like.
For example:
A 28/36 qualifying 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 run your own numbers, use this Loan Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Remember these ratios are only guidelines. We will be happy to pre-qualify you to determine how much you can afford.
At Riviera Funding NMLS#861382 CA DRE Broker #01186669, we answer questions about qualifying all the time. Give us a call at 3103737406.