qualifying ratio

Qualifying Ratio

The maximum debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage. If one's debt-to-income is not too high, one has a qualifying ratio and is eligible for a mortgage. The qualifying ratio varies by lender.

qualifying ratio

The maximum ratio of debt to income that will still allow a borrower to qualify for a loan. Lenders use two different ratios.The front-end ratio compares housing costs to income.The back-end ratio compares all consumer debt to income. Each lender has its own preferred ratios, which are usually dictated by demands placed by the secondary market or by loan guarantors such as the Veterans Administration.The numbers are not secret,but they change too often to include in a book.Be sure to ask a lender about its qualifying ratios and what exactly is included in the numbers.