Home Loan Eligibility Calculator
Check your eligibility for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans — all at once. See what you qualify for, why you might not, and exactly what to fix.
Full requirement comparison — checkmarks show where your profile meets each criterion.
| Requirement | Conventional | FHA | VA | USDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Credit Score | 620 | 500 | 580* | 640 |
| Max DTI | 45% | 57% | 60% | 44% |
| Min Down Payment | 3% | 3.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Employment Req | 2 yr history | 2 yr history | 2 yr history | 2 yr history |
| Income Limits | None | None | None | Area limits |
| Property Limits | None | Loan limits | None | Rural only |
| Your Status | Eligible | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
| Max Loan (Your Profile) | $424,323 | $539,914 | — | — |
* VA minimum credit score set by individual lenders; VA itself has no minimum.
If you don't qualify for standard programs, Non-QM (Non-Qualified Mortgage) loans offer alternative qualification paths — at higher rates (typically 1-3% above conventional).
How to Use This Home Loan Eligibility Calculator
Enter your Credit Score, Annual Income, Monthly Debts, Down Payment, Employment Type, and Years at Job. Check the boxes if you are a veteran (VA eligible) or buying in a rural area (USDA eligible). The calculator instantly shows all four major loan programs with a checkmark or X, your reason for each result, and the maximum loan amount for each program you qualify for.
What Counts as Monthly Debts?
Include all required minimum monthly payments: car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans, child support, and alimony. Do not include rent, utilities, groceries, or subscriptions — these are living expenses, not debt obligations used in DTI calculations.
Advanced Features
Use the Program Matrix tab to see full requirements vs. your profile side by side. Use What to Fix for a prioritized, personalized action plan. The Co-Borrower Impact tool recalculates all programs with combined income and the lowest credit score to show net benefit or harm.
How Loan Eligibility Is Calculated
Max Monthly Payment = Gross Monthly Income x DTI Limit - Existing Monthly Debts
Max Loan = Max Payment x [(1+r)^n - 1] / [r x (1+r)^n]
Where r = monthly rate, n = loan term in months
Max Home Price = Max Loan + Down Payment Available
Each program has its own DTI ceiling and credit floor. Conventional allows up to 45% DTI but requires 620+ credit. FHA allows up to 57% DTI with compensating factors but charges lifetime mortgage insurance. VA has the most flexible terms for eligible veterans. USDA requires rural property and income below area limits.
Example: Three Buyers, Three Outcomes
Eligibility Comparison — Same Income, Different Profiles
| Buyer A | Buyer B | Buyer C | |
| Credit Score | 760 | 620 | 560 |
| Annual Income | $90,000 | $90,000 | $90,000 |
| Monthly Debts | $300 | $800 | $600 |
| Down Payment | $50,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Conventional | Yes — best rates | Yes — standard | No — score too low |
| FHA | Yes | Yes | Yes — 10% down req |
| Max Loan (best) | $520,000 | $410,000 | $360,000 |
| Monthly Rate | 6.50% | 7.00% | 7.50% (FHA) |
Buyer A gets the best rate and highest loan amount. Buyer B qualifies conventionally but at a higher rate — paying down $3,000 in credit card debt to improve credit to 660 would save ~$45/month. Buyer C is limited to FHA — building credit to 580 unlocks 3.5% down instead of 10%.