America’s Debt-to-Income Map Reveals Key Stats About Local Real Estate Markets
Summary
This article discusses the importance of debt-to-income ratios (DTI) when investing in real estate, highlighting how lenders evaluate borrowers. It notes that markets with lower DTI ratios, such as those in the Midwest, may be more favorable for investors due to increased likelihood of loan approval. Hosts should consider the local DTI levels when making investment decisions and understand how the national debt and interest rates affect their ability to secure loans.
Key Insights
- •Florida has the top five cities with the highest mortgage balances, indicating tighter margins and increased competition.
- •The Federal Reserve's debt-to-income (DTI) map indicates that the most favorable borrowing environments are in the Midwest (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio), which could offer more favorable lending for investors.
- •Total household debt in the U.S. increased by $185 billion in Q2 2025. There are 67 cities in the U.S. where the average mortgage balance is $1 million or more.
Action Items
- ✓Hosts should research local DTI levels and assess lending environments before investing in new properties.Effort: mediumImpact: medium
- ✓Consider markets in the Midwest or the Rust Belt for potentially lower mortgage burdens and more sustainable DTI profiles.Effort: mediumImpact: medium
Tools & Resources
- →Federal Reserve DTI map: The article mentions the Federal Reserve's national debt-to-income map.
Watch Out For
- ⚠Investing in areas with high mortgage balances and high DTI ratios could lead to tighter margins and increased competition.
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