What Is Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)?
What DTI Measures
Debt-to-income ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your monthly income. Lenders use it to determine how much mortgage you can safely afford.
How Lenders Calculate DTI
DTI is calculated by dividing your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. This includes credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and the projected mortgage payment.
DTI Requirements by Loan Type
- Conventional Loans: Typically up to 45%
- FHA Loans: Up to 57% with strong compensating factors
- VA Loans: No official limit, lenders often use 41%
- USDA Loans: Usually capped around 41%
How to Lower Your DTI Before Applying
Pay down revolving debt, avoid new loans, and increase income where possible. Even small reductions in monthly debt can improve your approval chances.
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