What does the Housing Expenses-to-Income Ratio express?

The Housing Expenses-to-Income Ratio is a critical financial metric that measures the ratio of a borrower's housing-related expenses to their gross monthly income. This includes costs such as mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any homeowners association fees. By expressing housing expenses as a proportion of income, lenders can assess a borrower’s ability to manage their housing costs relative to their earnings, providing insight into their financial stability and risk profile.

This ratio is essential for determining affordability and is often used by lenders to evaluate mortgage applications. Specifically, a lower ratio indicates that a borrower is less likely to experience financial strain from their housing payments, thus improving chances for loan approval.