What is the maximum DTI allowed to buy a home? | program caps and exceptions

Debt‑to‑income limits vary by program, and knowing the caps helps buyers understand how much home they can afford.

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What is the maximum DTI allowed to buy a home?

PROGRAM LIMITS
Conventional loans typically allow up to 45%, with some approvals reaching 50% through automated underwriting. FHA often allows higher ratios depending on credit and compensating factors.

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VA AND USDA RULES
VA uses residual income rather than strict DTI caps, while USDA generally limits DTI to 41% unless strong compensating factors are present.

EXCEPTIONS AND COMPENSATING FACTORS
Strong credit, large reserves, or stable income may allow higher ratios depending on the program and automated findings.

NEXT STEPS
Review program limits.
Check your current DTI.
Ask your lender about compensating factors.

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