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Affordability Check
Your debt-to-income ratio matters more than you think
One of the biggest surprises I see is how many people don't realize that lenders look at your entire financial picture, not just your credit score or down payment. Your debt-to-income ratio—the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward debt payments—is a major factor in what you can borrow and at what terms. If you're carrying student loans, car payments, credit cards, or other obligations, those affect how much home you can afford. The good news is that paying down existing debt before you apply for a mortgage can meaningfully improve your borrowing power. Even small reductions in monthly obligations can open up more options for you. If you'd like to understand where you stand financially and what a real pre-qualification looks like, I'm here to walk through it with you.
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