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
February 7, 2020 - FHA home loan rules for second homes and investment properties are fairly straightforward; it’s the exceptions that can be confusing. Basically, if you want an FHA mortgage, you must be prepared to occupy the property you buy with one.
February 2, 2020 - What do you need to know about interest rates in 2020? Your credit score helps the lender decide what interest rate to offer you. So in addition to the market forces that change and effect the home loan rates on a daily basis, so does your own credit history.
January 31, 2020 - Buying a home instead of renting it means doing some financial housekeeping to get started. Don’t forget to review FICO scores and credit reports and payment history to make sure you have made on-time payments for the 12 months leading up to the loan application.
January 29, 2020 - Those refinancing this year will need to review their credit reports, make sure they have no late or missed payments in the year leading up to the loan application, and work hard to reduce debt and credit card use. Take some of the same steps you took when you originally applied.
January 25, 2020 - The FHA down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the adjusted value of the home. Compare that to the conventional loan 20% down requirement and it’s easy to see why FHA loans might be more appealing. Smaller down payments make sense if you don’t plan to keep the home long-term.
