Does my spouse's debt count if they're not on the loan?

In community property states (Arizona, California, Texas, and a few others), a non-borrowing spouse's debts are often counted toward the borrower's DTI on FHA and VA loans, even though their credit isn't pulled. Not on conventional.

Do medical collections count?

Medical collections generally do not count toward DTI and are treated less severely on credit scoring than other collections. They still may need to be addressed at closing depending on program.

What if my DTI is right at the cap?

Being at the cap is usually workable if you have strong compensating factors - high credit, meaningful reserves, or a large down payment. If you're at the cap with none of those, expect either a program change or a small debt payoff to get comfortable.

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The Three Guides Most People Read First

If you only have ten minutes, start with one of these. Each one ends with the exact next step.

First-Time Buyers

The First-Time Homebuyer Guide

A step-by-step walkthrough from prequalification to closing - in plain English, with real numbers.

Leer

The Complete VA Loan Guide - Quick Mortgage learning center guide

11 min de lecturaThe Complete VA Loan GuideEligibility, entitlement, funding fees, and why the VA loan is often the single best benefit a veteran has.

When Does a Refinance Actually Make Sense? - Quick Mortgage learning center guide

9 min de lecturaWhen Does a Refinance Actually Make Sense?A break-even framework that ignores marketing and looks at your real numbers.

Pick Your Path

Where Are You In The Process?

Three common starting points. Each one drops you into the guides written for that exact moment.

Model house and contract signing - first-time buyer mortgage guides

Buying Your First Home

Pre-approval, down payment, closing costs and what actually happens week to week.

Start With The Basics

Refinance paperwork on a desk - refinance mortgage guides

Lowering Your Payment

Refinance math, break-even points, cash-out rules and when it is worth the paperwork.

See Refinance Guides

Two professionals reviewing income charts - self-employed mortgage guides

Self-Employed Or Investing

Bank statement income, DSCR rentals and how underwriters read business returns.

Read Income Guides

Browse By Topic

Ten Topic Areas, 18 Guides

Jump straight to the section that matches where you are in the process.

First-Time Buyers2 VA Loans3 FHA Loans1 Refinancing2 Credit & Qualification3 Down Payment & Assistance1 Real Estate Investors1 Self-Employed Borrowers1 The Loan Process2 Rates & Market Insight2

First-Time Buyers

2 artículos

Everything you need to buy your first home with confidence.

Start Here12 min de lecturaThe First-Time Homebuyer GuideA step-by-step walkthrough from prequalification to closing - in plain English, with real numbers.Leer

9 min de lecturaHow Much House Can I Afford?The 28/36 rule, the payment formula lenders actually use, and the costs buyers routinely forget when they set a budget.

VA Loans

3 artículos

Guides written specifically for veterans and service members.

Start Here11 min de lecturaThe Complete VA Loan GuideEligibility, entitlement, funding fees, and why the VA loan is often the single best benefit a veteran has.Leer

8 min de lecturaThe VA Funding Fee, ExplainedHow the fee is calculated, when it's waived, and whether to roll it in or pay it at closing.8 min de lecturaThe VA IRRRL Streamline RefinanceFast, low-doc refinances designed for existing VA borrowers - the mechanics, requirements, and break-even math.

FHA Loans

1 artículo

Government-backed loans with flexible qualification.

Start Here10 min de lecturaFHA vs. Conventional: Which Loan Fits You?A side-by-side look at credit, down payment, and mortgage insurance - with real math on which loan actually costs less.Leer

Talk It Through

Reading Only Gets You So Far

A ten-minute call with a licensed advisor answers the question the article could not.

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Refinancing

2 artículos

When it makes sense, and how to run the numbers.

Start Here9 min de lecturaWhen Does a Refinance Actually Make Sense?A break-even framework that ignores marketing and looks at your real numbers.Leer

9 min de lecturaCash-out Refinance vs. HELOCFixed-rate lump sum or flexible line - the two ways to tap home equity, and how to pick the right one.

Credit & Qualification

3 artículos

How lenders view credit, income, and reserves.

Start Here9 min de lecturaCredit Score Basics for Mortgage BorrowersWhat score lenders actually pull, the two levers that move it fastest, and quick wins before you apply.Leer

9 min de lecturaDebt-to-Income Ratio: How Lenders Read YoursFront-end vs back-end DTI, what actually counts as debt, and how each program treats the ratio.8 min de lecturaPMI: What It Is, When It DropsPrivate mortgage insurance rules, cost drivers, and how to remove it faster than the automatic schedule.

Down Payment & Assistance

1 artículo

Sources of funds, DPA programs, and gifts.

Start Here9 min de lecturaDown Payment Sources and Gift RulesSavings, gifts, retirement funds, and DPA - what works, what to document, and where borrowers get tripped up.Leer

Ready When You Are

Turn What You Learned Into A Pre-Approval

A soft first look at your numbers, with no obligation and no credit surprises.

Get Pre-Approved

Real Estate Investors

1 artículo

DSCR, portfolios, and building rental income.

Start Here10 min de lecturaDSCR Loans: Scaling a Rental PortfolioWhy DSCR is the workhorse for investors qualifying on property cash flow, and how the ratio actually gets calculated.Leer

Self-Employed Borrowers

1 artículo

Bank statement, P&L, and non-QM playbooks.

Start Here10 min de lecturaBank Statement Loans: the Self-Employed PlaybookHow bank statement underwriting reads your business, what to prepare, and where these loans win over conventional.Leer

The Loan Process

2 artículos

Timelines, documents, and what to expect at each step.

Start Here10 min de lecturaClosing Costs, Line by LineWhat you're actually paying for at the closing table, what's negotiable, and how the seller can help.Leer

10 min de lecturaThe Loan Process, Week by WeekWhat actually happens between application and closing - realistic timelines, and where files most often slip.

Rates & Market Insight

2 artículos

How rates work and what actually moves them.

Start Here9 min de lecturaWhat Actually Moves Mortgage RatesFed decisions get the headlines, but the 10-year Treasury and MBS market drive the pricing - here's how the chain actually works.Leer

8 min de lectura15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More Money?A shorter term saves interest; a longer term protects cash flow. Here is the real math behind the trade-off, with a side-by-side payment example.

Mortgage calculator and pen on a desk - Quick Mortgage payment tools

Put It Into Practice

Run Your Own Numbers Next

Reading is step one. Our calculators use the same math a licensed advisor uses for a first-pass estimate, so you can test a payment, a price range, or a refinance break-even in a minute.

Payment, affordability, and refinance break-even tools
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