Debt ratios, not credit scores, are the most worrisome factor for mortgage applicants – The Washington Post.

For some home purchasers, qualifying for a mortgage is a tough road to travel and sometimes ends unhappily with rejection.  These rejections are typically from low credit scores, inadequate documented income and little or NO savings.

What really causes a mortgage lender to say no? It’s usually not your income or savings or even a less than ideal credit score.  It’s your DTI; your “debt-to-income ratio.”  This is the most reliable indicator in whether you’ll be able to repay the loan.

To learn more about DTIs and to discover yours, go to Fannie Mae’s “Know Your Options” site:  www.knowyouroptions.com.  You’ll find helpful tools here.