Before You Buy a House in 2026, Check These 3 Numbers First

Thinking about buying a house in 2026? Before you start calling real estate agents, touring homes, or getting excited about listings, there are three important numbers you need to know: your credit score, your qualifying income, and your debt-to-income ratio. According to a FICO survey shared with USA Today, 59% of Americans said they don't fully understand the steps involved in buying a home—and that number rises to 64% among first-time homebuyers. Yes, your credit score matters. But as a mortgage underwriter with more than 25 years of experience, I can tell you that a good credit score alone does not guarantee that you'll qualify for the house you want. I've seen buyers with credit scores in the high 700s and even 800s get denied because their debt-to-income ratio was too high. I've also seen people who thought they had plenty of income discover that their actual qualifying income was much lower than they expected. In this video, I explain: • Why I recommend aiming for a credit score of at least 660—and preferably 700 or higher • Why a lower credit score can mean a higher interest rate and tighter mortgage requirements • How mortgage lenders calculate your qualifying income • Why your hourly pay rate doesn't always tell the full story • Which monthly debts count toward your debt-to-income ratio • Why a new side hustle may not count as qualifying income right away • What to do with side-hustle income if you're planning to buy within the next 6 to 12 months • The two ways to improve a debt-to-income ratio that's too high Before you start house hunting, do your homework. Know your credit score. Know your actual qualifying income. Know your monthly debts. And if you're buying with a spouse, partner, family member, co-borrower, or co-signer, look at their financial picture too. Don't wait until you've fallen in love with a house to find out that the numbers don't work. CHAPTERS: 00:00 How to Buy a House in 2026 00:17 Meet Rhonda: 25+ Years as a Mortgage Underwriter 00:26 Why So Many Buyers Don't Understand the Homebuying Process 01:19 Is Checking Your Credit Score Really the First Step? 02:03 Why I Recommend a 660+ Credit Score 03:05 How Lower Credit Scores Can Affect Your Interest Rate 04:06 What If You Need to Buy a House Right Now? 05:03 Why 700+ May Get You Better Mortgage Terms 06:04 Good Credit Isn't Enough: Your DTI Matters 07:05 A Real-Life Homebuyer Example 09:37 Why Good Hourly Pay Doesn't Always Mean High Qualifying Income 11:02 How to Calculate Your Monthly Debts 12:18 What to Do If Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Is Too High 12:57 Should You Get a Second Job or Side Hustle? 14:57 The Two Things to Check Before Calling a Lender 16:09 Do Your Homework Before You Start House Hunting 🏠🏠 Fastest Way to Your Best Credit Score https://www.scoremaster.com/rhondabur... DISCLAIMER: This video is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, credit, tax, or mortgage advice. Mortgage guidelines, lender requirements, interest rates, loan programs, and qualification standards vary by lender, loan type, borrower profile, location, and other factors. Always consult with a qualified mortgage professional regarding your individual circumstances. #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #BuyAHouse2026 #MortgageTips 💳 Need an easy tradeline to boost your credit score? https://rhondaburgess.com/discover 🏠🏠 Need a real estate pro in your area: https://homeandmoney.com/rhonda/ 💵Generate more income as a travel agent. Work with me. https://myteamgetpaid.com Code: RhondaHowse 🏠🏠 Fastest Way to Your Best Credit Score https://www.scoremaster.com/rhondabur... 😁Consolidate Your Revolving Debt https://www.rhondaburgess.com/lending... 👌Check Your Credit Report Here https://annualcreditreport.com When we promote a product, we may use an affiliate or referral link to direct you to the company's website. Simply said, if you purchase a product after clicking on one of our links, we receive a tiny compensation from the merchant as a small "thank you." Occasionally, the commission is only a few dollars; other times, it is a little more. It may be a one-time commission or a rolling commission, so if you join up for a monthly subscription service, we may receive a portion of the monthly charge. But here's the kicker: you don't have to pay a dime for that referral. The entire commission is paid by the vendor, not by you.