You found a home that fits your family, your payment estimate looks manageable, and you're finally ready to talk with a lender. Then the conversation shifts. The lender says your debt to income ratio, or DTI, is too high. That moment catches many first-time homebuyers off guard. People often focus on credit scores, down payments,…
You may be closer to buying a home than you think, and still not be ready. A lot of first-time buyers do the hard parts right. They save for closing costs, pay down debt, and keep their spending under control. Then the lender pulls credit and says the file is too thin. That catches people…
Debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward your monthly debt payments. For many homebuyers, a DTI below 36% is the ideal target, while 43% is a common maximum for many mortgage types. If you're getting ready to buy a home, you've probably already looked at your credit…
Buying a home often starts the same way. You check listings late at night, save a few favorites, then wonder whether a lender will approve you. For many first-time buyers, that's the stressful part. It can feel like lenders use a secret formula that nobody explains clearly. They don't. Mortgage approval is a structured review….
You pull your credit score on a free app and feel relieved. The number looks solid. Then your bank shows a different score. Later, a mortgage lender mentions another one entirely. At that point, most first-time homebuyers ask the same question: which credit score matters? The honest answer is more practical than people expect. The…
You're probably here because you want a home in Kansas City, but the normal path isn't cooperating. Maybe a lender said your credit needs work. Maybe you're still saving. Maybe you're tired of renting and want your next payment to move you toward ownership instead of another lease renewal. That's exactly why rent to own…