Debt/Income Ratio

Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to decide the most you can pay monthly after you've paid your other recurring debts.

How to figure your qualifying ratio

For the most part, conventional mortgage loans need a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are less restrictive, requiring a 29/41 ratio.

The first number is how much (by percent) of your gross monthly income that can go toward housing costs. This ratio is figured on your total payment, including hazard insurance, HOA dues, PMI - everything that constitutes the full payment.

The second number is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that can be spent on housing costs and recurring debt together. For purposes of this ratio, debt includes credit card payments, vehicle loans, child support, and the like.

For example:

28/36 (Conventional)

• 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 calculate pre-qualification numbers with your own financial data, feel free to use our very useful Loan Qualifying Calculator.

Guidelines Only

Don't forget these are just guidelines. We will be thrilled to help you pre-qualify to determine how large a mortgage loan you can afford.

At Harbor View Lending* a DBA of Megastar Financial, we answer questions about qualifying all the time. Call us: (207) 571-8034.