Who can qualify for a conventional mortgage? People with established credit and stellar credit reports on a solid financial footing usually qualify for conventional mortgages. More specifically, the ideal candidate should have a good credit standing and meet other standard requirements.
A credit score is a numerical representation of a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. Credit scores include a borrower’s credit history and the number of late payments. A credit score of at least 620 and possibly higher can be required for approval. Also, the higher the score, the lower the interest rate on the loan, with the best terms being reserved for those with an excellent score.
An acceptable debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This is the sum of your monthly debt payments, such as credit cards and loan payments, compared to your monthly income. Ideally, the debt-to-income ratio should be around 36% and no more than 43%. In other words, you should spend less than 36% of your monthly income on debt payments.