Debt-to-Income Ratio: How It Works for Washington Home Buyers

Debt to income rations washington state mortgage When a lender looks at your mortgage application, one of the first numbers they calculate is your debt-to-income ratio — or DTI. It’s one of the most important factors in determining how much home you can afford and whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage in Washington State.

Here’s what DTI means, how lenders use it, and what you can do if yours needs work. [Read more…]

How to Save for a Down Payment on a Home in Washington State

saving for down payment tipsSaving for a down payment is one of the biggest hurdles for Washington State homebuyers — especially in markets like Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma where home prices are high relative to income. Here are practical strategies that actually work, along with some advice you probably won’t find on a generic personal finance blog. [Read more…]