In determining whether to grant a loan modification, there are generally three central factors that a lender takes into consideration: 1) the financial hardship of the borrower; 2) whether the borrower is currently delinquent on mortgage payments or is at risk of becoming delinquent in the immediate future; and 3) the borrower’s debt-to-income ratios. While the first two factors seem relatively straightforward, understanding your debt-to-income ratios is oftentimes confusing and may seem complex.

What is a debt-to-income ratio?

Simply put, a “debt-to-income ratio” (DTI) is the percentage of a homeowner’s grossmonthly income that goes toward paying the homeowner’s debts. In the context of a home loan modification, two DTI ratios are considered: a “front-end” DTI ratio and a “back-end” DTI ratio.

Why are Your Debt-to-Income Ratios Important?

Because lenders want to avoid as much risk as possible, they will pay special attention to your DTI ratios. In essence, lenders use your DTI ratios as indicators of your ability to repay your debts. Therefore, if your DTI ratios are low, lenders may be more inclined to assist you because they believe that you have a higher probability of repaying your debts. On the other hand, if your DTI ratios are high, lenders may be less likely to assist you because they believe you have a lower probability of repaying your debts (and, therefore, you are a greater risk).

Because your DTI ratios play such a significant role in the home loan modification process, it is a good idea for you to do a rough calculation of your own front-end and back-end DTI ratios before seeking a loan modification. By doing your own calculation, you can estimate whether a lender is more likely or less likely to grant you a loan modification.

How Do You Calculate Your Front-end DTI Ratio?

To calculate your front-end DTI ratio, you divide your total “monthly house payment” by your gross monthly household income:

           Monthly House Payment ÷ Gross Monthly Household Income= Front-end DTI Ratio

Your “monthly house payment” is often referred to as “PITIA.” “PITIA” is defined as principal, interest, taxes, insurance (including homeowners insurance and hazard and flood insurance) and homeowners association fees (if applicable). Note that if you pay property taxes, insurance, and/or homeowners association fees separately from you mortgage principal and interest, these expenses need to be added to your total “monthly house payment.”

Examples

1)    Mr. Smith’s monthly house payment is $1,100. Mr. Smith is a carpenter and his gross monthly household income is $2,700. To figure out his front-end DTI ratio, Mr. Smith takes the amount of his monthly house payment ($1,300) and divides it by the amount of his gross monthly household income ($2,700). Mr. Smith’s front-end DTI ratio is 40.7%, because $1,300 ÷ $2,700= 40.7%.

2)    Mr. and Mrs. Baker’s monthly house payment is $1,900. Mr. Baker is an electrician and his gross monthly income is $2,800. Mrs. Baker is a seamstress and her gross monthly income is $1,200. Combined, Mr. and Mrs. Baker’s gross monthly household income is $4,000. To figure out their front-end DTI ratio, the Bakers take the amount of their monthly house payment ($1,900) and divide it by the amount of their gross monthly household income ($4,000). The Bakers’ front-end DTI ratio is 47.5%, because $1,900 ÷ $4,000= 47.5%.

How Do You Calculate Your Back-end DTI Ratio?

To calculate your back-end DTI ratio, you add up all of your monthly debt payments (do not include any expenses that are not listed on your credit report), which may include:

·      Your “house payment” or PITIA (this was used in calculating your front-end DTI)

·      Credit card payments

·      Automobile loan or lease payments

·      Alimony/child support

·      Educational/student loan payments

·      Any personal loans

·      Any other accounts reported in your credit reports

After adding all of these monthly debts up, you then take the total and divide it by your total gross monthly household income:

Monthly Debt Payments ÷ Gross Monthly Household Income= Back-end DTI Ratio

Examples

1)    Mr. Smith’s monthly debt payments come out to $1,700 ($1,100 for his monthly house payment, $300 for his car loan, and $300 for alimony). Mr. Smith is a carpenter and his gross monthly household income is $2,700. To figure out his back-end DTI ratio, Mr. Smith takes the amount of his monthly debt payments ($1,700) and divides it by the amount of his gross monthly household income ($2,700). Mr. Smith’s back-end DTI ratio is 62.9%, because $1,700 ÷ $2,700= 62.9%.

2)    Mr. and Mrs. Baker’s monthly debt payments come out to $2,300 ($1,900 for their monthly house payment, $200 for their car lease, and $200 in credit card payments). Mr. Baker is an electrician and his gross monthly income is $2,800. Mrs. Baker is a seamstress and her gross monthly income is $1,200. Combined, Mr. and Mrs. Baker’s gross monthly household income is $4,000. To figure out their back-end DTI ratio, the Bakers take the amount of their monthly debt payments ($2,300) and divide it by the amount of their gross monthly household income ($4,000). The Bakers’ back-end DTI ratio is 57.5%, because $2,300 ÷ $4,000= 57.5%.

3)    Ms. Garcia’s monthly debt payments come out to $1,600. Ms. Garcia is a civil engineer and her gross monthly income is $5,000. To figure out her back-end DTI ratio, Ms. Garcia takes the amount of her monthly debt payments ($1,600) and divides it by the amount of her gross monthly household income ($5,000). Ms. Garcia’s back-end DTI ratio is 32%, because $1,600 ÷ $5,000= 32%.

Why Do Your DTI Ratios Matter and What Should You Do?

Today, lenders have specific target ranges and limitations on allowable DTI ratios for loan modifications. Although your lender may have slightly differing DTI ratio targets and limitations, most lenders are willing to grant loan modification to homeowner’s whose DTI ratios are below 50%. Remember, lenders want to avoid risk and only want to extend loan modifications to homeowners who have a high probability of repaying their debts.

Therefore, it is a good idea for you to do your own initial front-end and back-end DTI calculations so that you can get a general sense of whether a lender is more likely or less likely to grant you a loan modification. When doing these calculations keep in mind that DTI ratios well below 50% are ideal. Doing these calculations can save you time in determining whether a loan modification is right for you or whether another option might be more advantageous to you in protecting your house.

As always, remember that the earlier you look into the requirements of loan modifications and begin the process, the better. Start by doing your own front-end and back-end DTI calculations and go from there. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask for help. Also, remember that a qualified attorney who has experience in working with loan modifications can be extremely beneficial to you and can assist you in working directly with your lender and in protecting your interests.