Debt Ratios for Residential Lending
Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to decide the most you can pay monthly after you have paid your other monthly debts.
About the qualifying ratio
Usually, underwriting for conventional mortgage loans requires 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 the percentage of your gross monthly income that can go toward housing. This ratio is figured on your total payment, including hazard insurance, HOA dues, Private Mortgage Insurance - everything that constitutes the payment.
The second number is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that should be spent on housing costs and recurring debt. Recurring debt includes credit card payments, vehicle payments, child support, etcetera.
For example:
28/36 (Conventional)
- Gross monthly income of $4,500 x .28 = $1,260 can be applied to housing
- Gross monthly income of $4,500 x .36 = $1,620 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses
With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio
- Gross monthly income of $4,500 x .29 = $1,305 can be applied to housing
- Gross monthly income of $4,500 x .41 = $1,845 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses
If you'd like to run your own numbers, we offer a Loan Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Remember these ratios are only guidelines. We will be happy to go over pre-qualification to help you determine how much you can afford.
At Coastal Mortgage Corp., we answer questions about qualifying all the time. Give us a call at 504-866-5626.