Debt Ratios for Residential Lending
Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to decide your maximum monthly payment after your other monthly debts have been paid.
Understanding your qualifying ratio
In general, conventional mortgage loans 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.
The first number in a qualifying ratio is the maximum amount (as a percentage) of gross monthly income that can go to housing costs (this includes loan principal and interest, PMI, hazard insurance, property tax, and HOA dues).
The second number in the ratio is what percent of your gross income every month that should be spent on housing costs and recurring debt together. For purposes of this ratio, debt includes payments on credit cards, vehicle payments, child support, and the like.
For example:
28/36 (Conventional)
- 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, feel free to use our very useful Mortgage Loan Qualifying Calculator.
Just Guidelines
Don't forget these ratios are just guidelines. We'd be thrilled to help you pre-qualify to help you determine how much you can afford.
Norcal Capital Group, Inc can answer questions about these ratios and many others. Call us at (650) 689-5684.