How Can I Figure Out My Debt-to-income Ratio?
To figure out where you stand on the debt-to-income ratio, you must first understand the meaning of the figure. Most lenders use the ratio 28/36.
The first number, which is also referred to as the front-end ratio, is the percentage of your gross monthly income that you could comfortably afford to spend on your housing payments or mortgage. This figure includes the money you spend on property taxes and insurance as well as the loan payment itself.
The second number, which can also be referred to as the back-end ratio, is the percentage of your gross monthly income that should be spent on all long-term monthly debts combined.
Use the following guidelines to find out where you stand:
- First, figure out your gross monthly income (your income before taxes). To do this, take your gross yearly income and divide it by 12.
- Multiply this figure by 28 percent (.28). The amount you come up with is TYPICALLY the amount you could comfortably afford to spend on your housing payments per month.
- Now, take your gross monthly income (your gross yearly income divided by 12) and multiply it by 36 percent (.36). The figure shown should be the TOTAL amount of money you spend on ALL LONG-TERM DEBTS COMBINED.
To get a more accurate mortgage estimate, tally up your monthly bills - which include car payments, credit cards, child support, alimony, etc. - and subtract this amount from the figure you just came up with. However much money is left over is the amount you should truly be spending on your housing payments per month.
Popular Real Estate Questions
Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms
A lien that makes property security for the repayment of debt. Mortgages can finance the acquisition of real estate such as a home. A mortgage has certain benefits compared to other debt ...
A tenancy in which no written lease is involved, rent being paid monthly. It can be renewed for each succeeding month or terminated at the option of either party with sufficient notice. ...
To approximate the worth or valuation of property To give an appraisal value estimate of property. Property value appraisals are never exact, and are at best approximations of actual ...
A lessee (tenant) subleases the apartment to a third party .The tenant is now sandwiched between the lessor and the sublessee. In other words, the tenant is acting as a lessee to the ...
Investigation into the causes of death. A post mortem is normally performed by a public coroner. It might be performed to determine the cause of death of an apartment house tenant. ...
Combination of insurance policies on property with each providing an additional increment of coverage exceeding the limits of the preceding policy. For example, policy A adds $70,000, then ...
Another residence in addition to the main residence where a person or family resides. An example is a second home out of the city used on weekends and during vacations. Interest and real ...
A capitalization method which divides a properties first year net operating income by an estimated general capitalization rate to develop a total property estimate. ...
The definition of population density is a way to measure the number of populations in a specific area. The method of calculating population density is by the number of people per square ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.