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Glossary

Qualifying Ratios

A qualifying ratio is the comparison of your debts to your income. They are used by lenders in deciding whether to make the loan, and under what terms. There are two ratios they use: the housing (or top) ratio and the total debt (or bottom) ratio. The top ratio is arrived at by dividing your housing costs by your income. To establish the bottom ratio, your minimum monthly consumer debt obligations (such as credit card and auto loan payments) are added to your housing expense, and then this figure is divided by your income. Generally, to qualify for a loan you would need a ratio of 28 on top and 36 on the bottom.

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