How does a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio affect mortgage approval?

A lower debt-to-income ratio typically improves the likelihood of mortgage approval because it demonstrates a borrower's financial health and ability to manage debt. This ratio is calculated by dividing the total monthly debt payments by the gross monthly income. Lenders use this metric to assess a borrower's capacity to repay a new mortgage in addition to their existing financial obligations. A lower ratio indicates that a smaller portion of the borrower's income is consumed by debt payments, which suggests they have more flexibility to manage additional debt. Consequently, borrowers who present a lower debt-to-income ratio are generally seen as lower-risk candidates for mortgage approval, making it easier for them to secure a loan.

In contrast, a higher debt-to-income ratio raises concerns for lenders, implying that a significant portion of the borrower's income is already committed to debt repayment, which could lead to difficulty in handling additional mortgage payments.