Ratio of Debt to Income

Lenders use a ratio called "debt to income" to determine the most you can pay monthly after you have paid your other monthly debts.

How to figure your qualifying ratio

Typically, 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.

The first number in a qualifying ratio is the maximum amount (as a percentage) of your gross monthly income that can be spent on housing (including mortgage principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance, property tax, and HOA dues).

The second number is what percent of your gross income every month that can be applied to housing expenses and recurring debt. Recurring debt includes things like vehicle loans, child support and credit card payments.

For example:

28/36 (Conventional)

• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .28 = $756 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .36 = $972 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

With a 29/41 (FHA) qualifying ratio

• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .29 = $783 can be applied to housing
• Gross monthly income of $2,700 x .41 = $1,107 can be applied to recurring debt plus housing expenses

If you'd like to run your own numbers, we offer a Mortgage Qualifying Calculator.