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.
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
July 17, 2019 - Borrowers looking into their FHA refinance loan options aren’t always sure where to begin; the right kind of refinance loan for you may not be the right refinance for someone else. It all depends on why you want to refinance and how you need to apply the loan funds.
July 16, 2019 - The One-Time Close construction loan, an option for FHA loan applicants, VA loan applicants, and USDA borrowers, offers the ability to have a home built from the ground up. Is this the right choice for you? Some borrowers have a sense of urgency about getting moved into a new home.
July 15, 2019 - The short answer is that most of them do. There is only one FHA refinance loan that has no FHA-required credit check, and most typical FHA forward mortgages for purchasing a new property will require one. Credit scores and credit history are important factors for home loan approval.
July 14, 2019 - Long before you apply for an FHA mortgage or refinance loan, you will need to work on establishing or maintaining reliable credit patterns. Your lender is looking for these patterns to justify approving your mortgage loan application.
July 12, 2019 - You'll get advice about making 100% on-time payments for all financial obligations 12 months or more before you apply for the mortgage. But after you get the loan, if you miss payments on your mortgage, what kind of repercussions can you expect and what should you do?
FHA.com Reviews
FHA.com is a one-stop resource for homebuyers who want to make the best decisions when it comes to their mortgage. With our detailed, mobile-friendly site, individuals can access information about different FHA products, the latest loan limits, and numerous other resources to make their homebuying experience easier. Take a look at some of the reviews from other FHA.com visitors!
