Income requirements and debt ratios
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Most conventional lenders prefer a back-end DTI of 36% or less. However, some government-backed loans (like FHA loans) may allow DTIs up to 50% or even higher in certain cases, provided the borrower has strong compensating factors like a high credit score or significant cash reserves.
Your loan term directly impacts your monthly mortgage payment, which is a key component of your DTI ratio. A longer-term loan (like 30 years) results in a lower monthly payment, which can make it easier to meet DTI ratio requirements for loan approval. A shorter-term loan’s higher payment could make it harder to qualify.
To calculate your DTI, follow these two steps:
1. Add up all your monthly debt payments. This includes your potential new mortgage payment, auto loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, personal loans, and any other recurring debt.
2. Divide your total monthly debt by your gross monthly income. Your gross income is your total pay before any taxes or deductions are taken out.
3. Multiply the result by 100 to get a percentage.
Formula: (Total Monthly Debt Payments / Gross Monthly Income) x 100 = DTI%
1. Add up all your monthly debt payments. This includes your potential new mortgage payment, auto loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, personal loans, and any other recurring debt.
2. Divide your total monthly debt by your gross monthly income. Your gross income is your total pay before any taxes or deductions are taken out.
3. Multiply the result by 100 to get a percentage.
Formula: (Total Monthly Debt Payments / Gross Monthly Income) x 100 = DTI%
Yes, when a lender calculates your back-end DTI to qualify you for a mortgage, they will include the estimated total monthly payment (PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance) of the new home loan you are applying for in the “debt” side of the equation.
Common expenses that are typically not included in your DTI calculation are:
Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
Cable, internet, and phone bills
Insurance premiums (health, life, auto)
Groceries and entertainment
401(k) or other retirement contributions
Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
Cable, internet, and phone bills
Insurance premiums (health, life, auto)
Groceries and entertainment
401(k) or other retirement contributions
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