Maintaining a Healthy Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your DTI Ratio and Your Loan

The lower your DTI ratio, the better chance you have of getting a loan with favorable terms. A DTI ratio of 35% or lower is considered good.

Improving Your DTI Ratio

If your DTI ratio is too high, you can lower it by increasing your income or reducing your debts. If this is a good time for you to ask for a raise or pursue a promotion, give it a shot! Taking on a second job part-time is also an option for some.

Reducing debts, however, is generally more manageable than increasing income in a specific time frame. Consider refinancing your loans to lower the monthly payments, transferring credit card balances to a better card, and/or consolidating different debts into a single payment. A debt relief company may also be able to help you pay down some of your balances.

Talk to your loan officer about your DTI ratio and what you can do to maintain a healthy number. They’ll work with you to make sure you’re in the best position to get a favorable home loan.