Mortgage-Refinance Loan Measurment 101 -- Evaluate Your Own Ability to Pay

We live in a society where people are losing their homes at an alarmingly high rate. There are several reasons for this, but one could certainly be avoided -- buying a house that creates a loan that is too large for you to handle. This article will examine how to decide your loan size -- whether you are purchasing or refinancing. We'll look at this issue from the point of view of lenders and from the standpoint of what is actually best for you.

In a conventional, conforming loan -- one in which you have good credit and good job history -- a lender will look at what he calls "debt-to-income ratio." Many mortgage brokers refer to it as DR (debt ratio). They also break it into two categories -- front end ratio and back end ratio. A front end debt ratio calculates your gross monthly income against your new house payment. Conventional lenders want this number to be at 28 percent or less. So, if you make $3,500 each month in gross income (before taxes and other withdrawals), just take this number and divide by 28 percent. This new number is $980.00, which is the number the lender will use as your front end ratio. So in the lender's mind, you can afford a house payment of $980.00 or less.

Remember, though, this is only half of the equation. Now, the lender will look at your overall debt scenario. When calculating your back end debt ratio, the lender takes your new mortgage and all other monthly credit debts -- car payments, credit card payments, other loans, cell phones, etc. Items like insurance and utilities are not included. Conventional, conforming lenders want this ratio to be at 36 percent or less.

So, to calculate your back end or overall debt-to-income ratio, take your gross monthly income and divide by 36 percent. Again, let's assume you make $3,500 monthly. When divided by 36 percent, you get $1,225.00. Now, add up all your monthly minimum payments, plus your new house payment, and this new number needs to be less than $1,225.00. So, if you have very little debt, you can afford to go all the way to the $980.00 for a new mortgage. If you have a couple of cars, several credit cards and a cell phone, you'll likely have to get much less house.

Now, these ratios are very conservative. In most cases, lenders will allow you to break one or both of these guidelines, based on other factors -- things like A+ credit, good liquid assets or a large down payment. Or, you may need a loan program that is non-conforming. This would involve a lender who increases these ratios as high as 50 percent, meaning your debt can be half of your gross monthly income. Lenders, you see, want to make loans. That's why they are so rich, because they are doing trillions of dollars in loans each year, and getting back even more in interest payments.

In order to assure yourself of getting a loan that you can afford, you should qualify yourself. It's important to remember that when calculating debt to income ratios, lenders don't take many important factors into account. For example, they allow you to use gross income -- instead of net income. We pay our bills with our net, not our gross. When deciding what you can qualify for, consider your net income.

In other words, add up all your debts and look at the money you have after taxes, retirement, savings, other investments, etc. Also, account for debts lenders do not, such as insurance, groceries, utilities, the probability that taxes on your home will go up, clothing, and spending money for fun and hobbies. After all, you want having a home to add to your life -- not make it more difficult. Lenders leave this part out.

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com



Save Time With a Bridge Loan

Why You Need a Bridge LoanYou have to move fast... Read More

Financial Rebirth Through Remortgage

Seldom in ones life do we get a chance to... Read More

Jumbo Mortgage Loans - Getting Approved for a Jumbo Mortgage Loan Online

Getting approved for a jumbo mortgage loan online is similar... Read More

Mortgage Loan Most Bankers Wont Give May Be Exactly What You Need to Buy or Refinance Your Home

A few years ago, a loan officer who worked for... Read More

How a Commercial Mortgage Can Help Your Business

A commercial mortgage or commercial remortgage is a business loan... Read More

Refinance Your Home Equity Loan

Refinancing your home equity loan is an excellent way to... Read More

How to Find a Direct Homeowner Loan

If you've been thinking about applying for a direct homeowner... Read More

Secured Loans For Home Improvement ? When You Can?t Buy A Luxury Home

A house is just perfect with chipped walls and broken... Read More

What is a Current Account Mortgage?

Current account mortgages are fairly new to the sector. They... Read More

How to Get a Cheap Homeowner Loan

If you're looking for a cheap homeowner loan, you might... Read More

Tips for Finding the Best Agri Mortgage and the Best Agri Loan

The Research Rates of Agri MortgageFirst thing, when finding an... Read More

Reverse Mortgage Maximization

Have your home's appreciation grow twice as fast.For Seniors over... Read More

Mortgage Cycling May Be Your Best Bet For Equity Buildup and Investment Real Estate

Mortgage cycling is a system that relies on solid budgeting,... Read More

Home Loans ? Lenders Continue to Offer High-Risk Loans

Home prices in the Untied States continue to soar, and... Read More

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan, usually from a bank, finance... Read More

Home Equity Lines of Credit - the Basics

A Home equity line of credit is a loan which... Read More

How to Find Cheap Home Improvement Loans

If you have home improvements that you'd like to see... Read More

How to Use a Home Equity Line of Credit Calculator

Most home owners know that the lower the interest rate,... Read More

Home Mortgages: Does It Ever Make Sense to Pay Points?

Interest rates on home mortgages are often quoted with and... Read More

Guide to Mortgages

A mortgage is a loan that is guaranteed by a... Read More

Bad Credit Loans Authenticate What Is Positive About Bad Credit

This might not be the front page news but it... Read More

Securing a Cheap Home Improvement Loan

Finding a cheap home improvement loan can be a challenge... Read More

Why You Should Not Get Hung Up on the Interest Rates!!

This is what a mortgage can do for you!AND Why... Read More

Home Equity Loans

Home equity loans are a popular way for homeowners to... Read More

Advantages Of Mortgage Pre-Approval

There are several advantages to getting mortgage pre-approval before looking... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language:
 

العاب منتديات هيدى الزاوية الحمراء

Pharaohs products    egypt products    Egypt shopping   Shopping in Egypt   sho  Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center   Egypt  Pharaohs