FHA
The FHA loan calculator includes the upfront MIP of 1.75% and annual MIP, so low-down-payment buyers see the real cost.
Stage 2 of 4
Self-qualification: how borrowers test whether they could qualify for a mortgage
After "what would it cost?" comes "could I get it?". Let them check before they call.
Free plan, no card. Paid plans include a 14-day trial.
Borrower self-qualification is the stage where a visitor checks whether their payment number could actually work. They test their debt-to-income ratio, the income a loan would need, how much down payment they have, and which program might fit. Each answer narrows the scenario, and the lead that follows carries those answers to you.
Key takeaways
- DTI is the first qualifying question most borrowers don't know how to answer.
- Required-income and down-payment tools turn a dream price into a plan.
- Program calculators show FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo differences in dollars.
- Self-qualification estimates; your review and pre-approval decide.
Which four questions does a borrower try to answer at this stage?
Each has a matching calculator, and each answer becomes part of the lead.
| Question | Calculator | What the result tells the borrower | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are my debts too high? | Debt-to-income calculator | Front-end and back-end DTI with an assessment | Whether DTI is a likely issue before the first call |
| Do I earn enough? | Required income calculator | Annual and monthly income needed for a loan amount | The gap, if any, between their income and the target |
| Do I have enough down? | Down payment calculator | Cash needed and how it changes the loan | Likely program and mortgage insurance path |
| How much can I borrow? | Pre-qualification calculator | Estimated price, maximum loan and limiting ratio | A realistic price range and which ratio binds |
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Why is DTI the heart of self-qualification?
Because it is the ratio borrowers least understand and lenders look at early. Most people know roughly what they earn and what they want to spend on a house. Few know that a car payment, student loans and minimum card payments all count against the same income. The debt-to-income ratio is where the math gets real.
The calculators use a 43% back-end DTI guideline as a default ceiling, which the borrower can change. That gives a borrower a sensible line without pretending to be an underwriting decision. Programs differ, compensating factors exist, and your review decides what applies.
For you, a lead that arrives with a back-end DTI already calculated tells you the shape of the first conversation. A borrower at 28% is a different call from one at 49%. You can prepare questions about debts that might be paid off, income that might count, or a co-borrower who might help, before you dial.
How do program calculators help borrowers find a fit?
They show the difference between programs in dollars per month, which is the language borrowers think in.
VA
The VA loan calculator adds the VA funding fee, for example 2.15% on a first use with under 5% down.
USDA
The USDA loan calculator shows the upfront guarantee fee of 1% and the annual fee of 0.35%.
Conventional and jumbo
The jumbo loan calculator helps borrowers above the 2026 baseline conforming loan limit of $832,750.
Self-employed
The self-employed income calculator and bank statement loan calculator estimate qualifying income for borrowers without W-2s. These are on the Brokerage plan.
Self-qualification is an estimate, not a decision
Borrowers enter their own figures and the calculators apply general program rules. They do not see credit, verified income, reserves or a lender's overlays. Present results as a starting point for a pre-qualification conversation, and never imply approval or a specific rate.
What changes when borrowers self-qualify before calling?
The first conversation moves from discovery to review.
Without self-qualification
- First call spent collecting income and debts
- Borrower has no sense of whether they qualify
- Unrealistic price expectations surface late
- Program discussion starts from zero
With self-qualification
- Income, debts and DTI already in the lead
- Borrower has tested their own scenario
- Price range adjusted before you speak
- Program questions start from their numbers
How do you design the self-qualification stage on your site?
Keep the tools one click from the first number.
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Pair each payment calculator with a DTI tool
Put the DTI calculator on the same page or in the same widget, so the next question has an answer.
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Put program calculators on program pages
FHA on the FHA page, VA on the VA page. Borrowers who reach those pages already have a program in mind.
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Keep the lead form under every result
A borrower who just found a DTI that works is at peak intent. The hand-raise should be right there.
Keep reading
FAQ · 9 questions
Questions loan officers ask
What does self-qualification mean for a mortgage?
It means the borrower estimates, on their own, whether they could qualify: checking DTI, required income, down payment and program fit with calculators. It is a self-check, not a lender's decision.
What DTI do the calculators treat as the limit?
They use a 43% back-end DTI guideline as the default ceiling, which the borrower can change. Real limits vary by program, lender and compensating factors.
Can a borrower self-qualify for FHA or VA?
They can estimate. The FHA, VA and USDA calculators include program costs such as MIP, the VA funding fee and the USDA guarantee fee. Eligibility itself depends on your review and program rules.
Do the calculators check credit?
No. PrequalFunnel never pulls credit and does not see credit reports. Results are estimates based only on what the borrower enters, so credit history is one of the first things to confirm on your call.
How do I know which ratio is limiting the borrower?
The pre-qualification calculator reports the limiting ratio, front-end or back-end, as a result. It arrives in the lead with the other results.
What about self-employed borrowers?
The self-employed income and bank statement loan calculators estimate qualifying income for borrowers without W-2 income. They are included on the Brokerage plan.
Should I show a pass or fail result to borrowers?
No. Show ratios and estimates with plain explanations. A borrower near a limit may still have options, and a hard fail message drives people away before you can help.
Is the Spanish version available for self-qualification tools?
Yes. The DTI, required income, down payment, pre-qualification, affordability and program calculators all switch to Spanish, and to Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Arabic.
What happens if a borrower's DTI looks too high?
They often adjust the price or down payment, which is useful. If they submit anyway, your call can focus on debts that may be paid off, additional income or a co-borrower.
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