The fastest ways to lower your DTI… that no one ever told you
When the Numbers Feel Heavier Than the Dream
There’s a moment in almost every homebuyer’s journey when the excitement starts to fade—and the numbers take over.
The debt.
The payments.
The quiet fear of “What if I’m not ready?”
If you’re in that season, I want you to hear this clearly:
You don’t need perfection to qualify — you just need direction.
And more often than not, it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference.
One of the most important numbers lenders look at is your DTI (debt-to-income ratio). It’s not about how much debt you have overall—it’s about how much you’re required to pay each month.
Here’s what actually moves your DTI in the real world 👇
💳 Pay Down Revolving Credit First
Credit card debt hits harder than most people realize.
Even paying $100–$200 toward a high-balance card can lower your minimum payment, which can immediately improve your buying power.
Think “tackle one card at a time,” not “I need to pay everything off before I can buy.” Progress matters more than perfection.
💪 Increase Income — Even Temporarily
Yes, side income counts. And no, it doesn’t have to be huge.
Driving DoorDash on weekends, picking up overtime, babysitting for a friend, or working one extra shift a week—lenders look for consistent additional income, even if it’s modest.
Sometimes a small boost, documented correctly, can be the difference between waiting and moving forward.
🚫 Avoid Co-Signing Anything New
It doesn’t matter if they promise they’ll pay it.
If a payment shows up under your name, it counts against you. Period.
Protect your future mortgage approval by saying no to new co-signs—even when it feels uncomfortable.
🔄 Refinance or Consolidate With Intention
If you’re juggling multiple high-interest payments, consolidating them into one lower monthly payment can free up room quickly.
This isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about creating a monthly budget that works for you instead of against you.
📉 Simplify Your Monthly Commitments
Small clean-ups add up:
Pause unused subscriptions
Hold off on Buy Now, Pay Later purchases
Avoid random deposits and transfers between accounts
Clean, predictable banking makes underwriting smoother—and removing unnecessary payments can directly lower your DTI.
The Bigger Picture
Buying a home isn’t about having perfect finances.
It’s about creating space—little by little—for the future you’re building.
If the numbers feel heavy right now, that doesn’t mean the dream is out of reach. It just means you need a plan, the right guidance, and someone who knows which levers to pull.
And that’s exactly what we’re here for. 🏡✨