Published October 16, 2026 · Grants & Co Consultants
Your score describes aspects of your credit history. Your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, compares monthly debt payments with gross monthly income. A strong score does not automatically make a proposed mortgage payment affordable under a lender’s rules.
Work through a simple example
If the monthly debts counted by a lender total $2,400 and qualifying gross monthly income is $6,000, the DTI is 40%. This is an illustration, not an approval threshold. Loan programs and lenders apply different requirements.
Prepare a complete payment picture
- List recurring debt payments, including auto loans, cards, and student loans.
- Ask for an estimate of the full housing payment, including applicable taxes, insurance, and association costs.
- Confirm which income the lender can document and count.
- Ask how an intended payoff would change the calculation.
Keep a household budget alongside the lender’s calculation. Groceries, utilities, repairs, and other real expenses still affect your comfort even when they are not separate debts in the DTI formula.
A credit review can help organize the file. Your lender must confirm the qualifying income, obligations, and permitted ratio.
Sources and next steps
General education. Requirements and availability can change. Your lender determines eligibility and approval.
