Ratio of Debt-to-Income
The ratio of debt to income is a formula lenders use to determine how much of your income is available for a monthly mortgage payment after you have met your various other monthly debt payments.
How to figure your qualifying ratio
Most conventional mortgages need a qualifying ratio of 28/36. An FHA loan will usually allow for a higher debt load, reflected in a higher (29/41) ratio.
For these ratios, the first number is how much (by percent) of your gross monthly income that can be spent on housing. This ratio is figured on your total payment, including homeowners' insurance, HOA dues, PMI - everything that constitutes the full payment.
The second number in the ratio is what percent of your gross income every month that can be spent on housing costs and recurring debt. For purposes of this ratio, debt includes payments on credit cards, auto/boat loans, child support, etcetera.
Some example data:
A 28/36 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 calculate pre-qualification numbers with your own financial data, we offer a Mortgage Loan Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Don't forget these ratios are just guidelines. We'd be thrilled to pre-qualify you to help you figure out how much you can afford.
Coastal Mortgage Corp. can walk you through the pitfalls of getting a mortgage. Call us at 504-866-5626.