Debt/Income Ratio
Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to determine your maximum monthly payment after you have paid your other recurring loans.
Understanding the qualifying ratio
Usually, underwriting for conventional loans requires a qualifying ratio of 28/36. FHA loans are less strict, requiring a 29/41 ratio.
For 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 homeowners' insurance, HOA dues, Private Mortgage Insurance - everything that constitutes the full payment.
The second number in the ratio 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, car payments, child support, etcetera.
For example:
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 run your own numbers, please use this Loan Qualification Calculator.
Guidelines Only
Remember these ratios are just guidelines. We'd be thrilled to go over pre-qualification to help you determine how much you can afford.
Family Mortgage Company of Hawaii, Inc. NMLS #244497 can answer questions about these ratios and many others. Give us a call at (808) 935-0678.