FHA Requirements
Debt-to-Income Ratio Guidelines
In order to prevent homebuyers from getting into a home they cannot afford, FHA requirements and guidelines have been set in place requiring borrowers and/or their spouse to qualify according to set debt to income ratios. These ratios are used to calculate whether or not the potential borrower is in a financial position that would allow them to meet the demands that are often included in owning a home.
The two ratios are as follows:
1) Mortgage Payment Expense to Effective Income
Add up the total mortgage payment (principal and interest, escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance premium, homeowners' dues, etc.). Then, take that amount and divide it by the gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 31%.
See the following example:
2) Total Fixed Payment to Effective Income
Add up the total mortgage payment (principal and interest, escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance premium, homeowners' dues, etc.) and all recurring monthly revolving and installment debt (car loans, personal loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.). Then, take that amount and divide it by the gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 43%.
See the following example:
Please note that the above indicators do not exclusively determine whether or not a candidate will qualify for an FHA loan. Other factors will be considered, including credit history and job stability.
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
April 9, 2019 - Not all income is allowed to be used for the purposes of qualifying for your mortgage loan. For example, people who have a side income selling items online on Etsy or eBay may have a hard time convincing the lender to use that as part of your qualifying income.
April 8, 2019 - FHA One-Time Close construction loan options are available for borrowers who wish to apply for an FHA mortgage, but don’t want to buy an existing property. Not all borrowers understand they have options for this type of loan-options that include VA and even USDA construction loans for qualified applicants.
April 7, 2019 - Buying a home for the first time? Need some advice on how FHA home loans work? Here are some common questions about purchasing a home with an FHA mortgage you should know the answers to before getting started.
April 6, 2019 - One of the main issues with construction loans with two closing dates is that there is no guarantee that the borrower will qualify for the second loan. Borrowers who do not use FHA One-Time Close loans must be careful with credit and related financial issues.
April 1, 2019 - First-time home buyers are often concerned about the amount of their down payment requirement with a new home loan. That is one reason why FHA mortgages are so attractive to qualified borrowers - the 3.5% down payment requirement is an excellent alternative to other mortgages.
