What Is the Back-End Ratio?
The back-end ratio, also known as the debt-to-income ratio, is a ratio that indicates what portion of a person's monthly income goes toward paying debts. Total monthly debt includes expenses, such as mortgage payments (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance), credit card payments, child support, and other loan payments.
Back-EndRatio = (Total monthly debt expense / Gross monthly income) x 100
Lenders use this ratio in conjunction with the front-end ratio to approve mortgages. The lower your back-end ratio, the lower risk you are.
Key Takeaways
- Back-end ratios show the percentage of income a borrower is allotting to other lenders.
- To calculate a back-end ratio, divide total monthly debt expenses by gross monthly income and divide by 100.
- Mortgage underwriters use back-end ratios to help assess a borrower's risk.
- Lenders usually require long-term debt and housing expenses equate to less than 33% to 36% of a borrower's gross income.
How Back-End Ratio Works
The back-end ratio represents one of several metrics that mortgage underwriters use to assess the level of risk associated with lending money to a prospective borrower. It is important because it denotes how much of the borrower's income is owed to someoneelse or another company.
A back-end ratio is also called a total fixed payments to effective income ratio.
Lenders usually require long-term debt and housing expenses equate to less than 33% to 36% of a borrower's gross income.
If a high percentage of an applicant's paycheck goes to debt payments every month, the applicant is considered a high-risk borrower. For these borrowers, a job loss or income reduction could more easily result in financial strain and missed payments.
How to Calculate a Back-End Ratio
The back-end ratio is calculated by adding together all of a borrower's monthly debt payments and dividing the sum by the borrower's monthly income and multiplying by 100.
Consider a borrower whose monthly income is $5,000 ($60,000 annually divided by 12) and who has total monthly debt payments of $2,000. This borrower's back-end ratiois 40% ($2,000 / $5,000 * 100).
Generally, lenders like to see a back-end ratio that does not exceed 36%. However, some lenders make exceptions for ratios of up to 50% for borrowers with good credit. Some lenders consider only use this ratio when approving mortgages, while others use it in conjunction with the front-end ratio.
Back-End vs. Front-End Ratio
Like the back-end ratio, the front-end ratio is another debt-to-income comparison used by mortgage underwriters, the only difference being the front-end ratio considers no debt other than the mortgage payment. Therefore, the front-end ratio is calculated by dividing only the borrower's mortgage payment by his or her monthly income. Returning to the example above, assume that out of the borrower's $2,000 monthly debt obligation, their mortgage payment comprises $1,200 of that amount.
The borrower's front-end ratio, then, is ($1,200 / $5,000), or 24%. A front-end ratio of 28% is a common upper limit imposed by mortgage companies. Like with the back-end ratio, certain lenders offer greater flexibility on front-end ratio, especially if a borrower has other mitigating factors, such as good credit, reliable income, or large cash reserves.
How to Improve a Back-End Ratio
Paying off credit cards and selling a financed car are two ways a borrower can lower their back-end ratio. If the mortgage loan being applied for is a refinance and the home has enough equity, consolidating other debt with a cash-out refinance can lower the back-end ratio.
However, because lenders incur greater risk on a cash-out refinance, the interest rate is often slightly higher versus a standard rate-term refinance to compensate for the higher risk. In addition, many lenders require a borrower paying off the revolving debt in a cash-out refinance to close the debt accounts being paid off, lest they runthe balance back up.
What Are the Back-End Ratio Requirements?
Typically, lenders want to see a back-end ratio of at least 36%, although some lenders may allow for a higher back-end ratio. For example, some lenders may allow for a maximum back-end ratio of 43%.
What Is a Front-End Ratio?
A front-end ratio is the percentage of your housing expenses in proportion to your total income. To calculate a front-end ratio, divide your total housing expenses, including your mortgage payment, property taxes, mortgage insurance, and homeowner's association fees by your total income.
What Is a Good Front-End Ratio?
Many lenders require a minimum front-end ratio of 28% to approve you for a mortgage. The lower your front-end and back-end ratios, the more likely you are to qualify for a mortgage.
The Bottom Line
Understanding your back-end ratio is key to preparing for getting a mortgage and other types of loans, as lender use this ratio among other factors to assess how risky you are. You can improve your back-end ratio by minimizing debt and increasing income. Consider consulting a professional financial advisor to review how your back-end ratio fits into your financial picture.
