I’ve seen folks with higher DTI get approved, but it really depends on the lender and how strong the rest of your application looks. Lenders love a tidy file—steady job, clean credit, some cash reserves. But if you’re self-employed or have side gigs, they start nitpicking everything. Have you noticed any lenders being more flexible lately, or is it still the same old story where they want everything by the book?
I’ve actually noticed some lenders getting a bit more flexible, but it’s still hit or miss. When I applied, my DTI was just above 43% and I was worried, but my credit score and job history seemed to help. They did ask for a ton of docs since I have a side hustle. It felt like they wanted to triple-check everything. I wouldn’t say it’s gotten much easier, but if the rest of your file is solid, there’s a shot. It’s definitely not an automatic denial.
Yeah, I’ve seen the same thing—DTI isn’t always a hard stop, especially if you’ve got strong credit or steady income. Lenders seem to care more about the whole picture now. I had to jump through a bunch of hoops too when I applied, mostly because of freelance gigs. It’s a pain, but not impossible. Sometimes I wonder if they just want to see how persistent you are...
Yeah, DTI isn’t always the dealbreaker people think it is. I’ve seen folks with higher ratios get approved because their credit was rock solid or they had a big chunk of savings. Lenders definitely look at the full picture now, not just one number. Self-employment or freelance income just means more paperwork and explaining, but it’s doable. Sometimes I swear underwriters just want to see if you’ll stick it out... but persistence really does pay off in this game.
- Couldn’t agree more, DTI isn’t the boogeyman it’s made out to be.
- Seen plenty of folks with “iffy” ratios walk away with approvals just because their credit was squeaky clean or they had a fat emergency fund.
- Self-employed? Yeah, the paperwork is a pain—like a bad group project where you do all the work—but lenders care more about consistency than just the numbers.
- Underwriters are basically testing your patience at this point... but hey, if you’re persistent (and organized), you can absolutely make it work.