Two months ago, Lisa was honorably discharged from the Air Force where she spent four years training as an airplane mechanic. After discharge, she relocated to take a 40 hour per week apprentice mechanic job with a major airline company where she earns $18 an hour. Last month, her husband Dave, who has worked the past two years as a registered nurse, found a nursing job with a local hospital making $625 per week. They just bought a new car and pay $400 each month on that loan and have no other monthly debts. What is the maximum mortgage payment (PITI) a lender would allow for a conventional loan based on the housing expense ratio?

The maximum mortgage payment (PITI) a lender would allow for a conventional loan based on the housing expense ratio is:

$1,506.40

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Lisa works 40 hours at $18 an hour

Lisa weekly income = 40 * $18 = $720

Lisa monthly income = 40 *$18 * 4 = $2,880

Dave weekly income = $625

Dave's monthly income = $625 * 4 = 2,500

Total joint monthly income =            $5,380

b) If Lisa and Dave, her husband, file jointly for taxes, then the maximum mortgage payment (PITI) they can make is 28% of the gross income.

Therefore PITI = $5,380 * 28% = $1,506.40

c) The housing expense ratio is the percentage of your gross monthly income devoted to housing expenses, which should not exceed 36% of your monthly or annual gross income.  According to the general rule, the household expense payments, primarily rent or mortgage payments, cannot exceed more than 28% of the monthly or annual income.