Summary answer: Most lenders want your total debt-to-income (DTI) ratio at or below 43%-45% for a conventional loan in Springfield, though strong compensating factors can push that higher. VA loans can go higher still, using a residual-income approach — especially relevant given Springfield's direct proximity to Fort Belvoir.
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Front-end vs. back-end DTI
| DTI Type | What It Measures | Typical Max |
|---|---|---|
| Front-end | Housing payment only ÷ gross income | 28%-31% |
| Back-end | All debt ÷ gross income | 43%-45% (conventional); higher for VA |
Why VA's residual income approach helps many Springfield buyers
Rather than a hard DTI ceiling, VA loans evaluate whether you have enough residual income left after all obligations — a real advantage given Fort Belvoir's proximity and the area's many military households.
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