Michelle Muhammed

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the primary metrics mortgage lenders use to evaluate applications. During divorce, DTI can become complicated—especially when one or both spouses remain connected to the marital mortgage. In this discussion with mortgage professionals Margie Hoffberg  and Patrick Brende  of Residential Mortgage Center, we explain how DTI works, what typically counts, and how divorce documentation may affect mortgage qualification for individuals in the DC, Maryland, and...

Divorce often brings short-term financial strain—legal fees, moving costs, and the expense of establishing two households. One common side effect is increased credit card balances, which can affect credit utilization , an important factor in credit scoring and mortgage underwriting. In this conversation with mortgage professionals Margie Hoffberg and Patrick Brende  of Residential Mortgage Center, we discuss how credit utilization works and why it matters for individuals navigating divorce...

Qualifying income for a mortgage is not always the same as day-to-day cash flow. During divorce, changes in employment, support arrangements, or retirement planning can affect how income is documented for mortgage purposes. In this discussion with Margie Hoffberg and Patrick Brende of Residential Mortgage Center, we explain how lenders often view different types of income and why documentation and timing matter for divorcing individuals in the DMV and nationwide. Types of income lenders may...