3 Ways to Overcome a High Debt-to-Income Ratio

 As a homebuyer seeks a mortgage, the words “debt-to-income ratio” quickly enter his vocabulary. Any lender will seriously consider a borrower’s debt and income in making a decision, but what if a homebuyer’s debt ranks higher than many lenders prefer? Can a buyer do anything to overcome it?

If your debt ratio is high, don’t give up hope. You have several options available, both before you approach a lender and while working together to ensure your loan goes through. Consider these options if your debt-to-income ratio is too high to qualify naturally for a loan.

Lower the Ratio

Unless you have an urgent need to purchase a home, you can invest serious time in reducing your debt ratio in the months leading up to a purchase. In addition to saving for a down payment, use this time to pay off any credit cards, student loans, and car payments currently in your name. Ideally, your debt should be less than 36 percent of your income by the time you visit a lender to ask for help in securing a home loan.

Increase Your Down Payment

While this may not be a viable option for someone with a high amount of debt, you can boost your chances by putting up a large down payment. The less you have to borrow, the less strict the requirements, increasing your chances of success. A large down payment shows the lender that you’ve invested in the property, as well, reducing the risk that you’ll abandon the property before the mortgage is paid in full.

Get Government Help

In an effort to encourage new renters to convert to buyers, several government programs exist to help. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans allow borrowers to get into a home with a higher debt ratio, allowing for a slightly higher mortgage payment amount than the buyer might normally qualify to pay. Veterans may be able to get assistance through a Veterans Administration (VA) loan, which allows the total amount of housing expense plus recurring debt be as much as 41 percent.

For homeowners interested in refinancing, the government offers help through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Before seeking this type of loan, borrowers should gather as much information as possible to help prove they’re working hard to pay down all debts. You’ll also need to have been on time for all of your payments for at least the past year and have credit in good standing. HARP primarily targets homeowners who have a small amount of equity in their existing homes or who currently owe more than their home is worth. Borrowers may have to check with several lenders to find one who offers HARP as a refinancing option.

For those with high debt-to-income ratios, landing a home loan may be challenging, but it’s far from impossible. By lowering debt and working directly with lenders to learn about all the options available, borrowers can get into a home and begin to work on paying off all of those debts to make the next purchase easier.

This blog has been provided by Union Mortgage Investment Group

6705 Red Road Suite 508 Coral Gables, FL 33143

305.598.9896 (Office)

http://www.unionmtg.net/