7 Numbers That Determine Whether You Get Approved

One page. Seven numbers. The exact figures a mortgage underwriter checks before approving your home loan — and what each one means for you.

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What’s On The Cheat Sheet

Lenders don’t approve “good people.” They approve good numbers. Here are the seven that matter most.

Credit Score

The minimum scores for FHA, conventional, and VA — and what each tier unlocks.

DTI Ratio

Debt-to-income: the #1 reason applications get denied, explained simply.

Down Payment

How much you really need — including 0%-down and assistance options.

Cash Reserves

What lenders want to see left in the bank after closing.

Employment History

The 2-year rule and what counts as stable income.

Interest Rate Factors

What actually moves your rate — and what’s just noise.

Closing Costs

The real numbers so there are no surprises on closing day.

Bonus: Next Steps

What to do with your numbers once you know where you stand.

Why This Matters

Most first-time buyers walk into the process blind — and it costs them.

Stop guessing — know exactly where you stand before you talk to a lender.
Avoid denial — fix the numbers that would get your application rejected.
Save thousands — better numbers mean better rates and lower payments.
Buy with confidence — walk in prepared, not hoping for the best.

From Your Guide

Created by a mortgage broker who’s built his practice on the borrowers banks turn away.

Manuel Angeles

Mortgage Broker • NMLS #1750546

Manuel has helped first-time buyers, investors, and everyone in between navigate the mortgage process with clarity — and built this cheat sheet from the questions he hears every single week.

Know Your Numbers. Own Your Future.

Get the free 7 Numbers Cheat Sheet and see exactly where you stand — before a lender decides for you.

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DISCLAIMER: The Real Estate Lender is an independent education and media brand founded by Manuel Angeles. The Real Estate Lender is not a lender, mortgage broker, or financial institution, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or a subsidiary of Loan Factory. Manuel Angeles is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #1750546) and California Real Estate Broker (DRE #01985856) sponsored by Loan Factory (NMLS #320841, DRE #01771313). Any mortgage loan services are provided solely through Loan Factory, not through The Real Estate Lender. Nothing on this page is a loan offer, a commitment to lend, or a guarantee of approval, interest rates, or terms. All loans are subject to credit, underwriting, and property approval. The products and content offered on this site are for education only and are not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. They do not guarantee any result, loan approval, income, or return on investment. Real estate and lending involve risk — consult your own licensed financial, legal, and tax professionals before making decisions.

Education Only Disclosure: The Real Estate Lender (TREL) and The Real Estate Lender Academy are private education and training programs offered by Manuel Angeles. TREL is not a college, university, or school, is not accredited by any accrediting agency, and does not award degrees, diplomas, or academic credit. Any certificate provided is a certificate of completion of a private training program only; it is not a professional license or credential and does not qualify the holder for any license. TREL is not an education provider approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) or the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), and TREL courses do not satisfy, and will not be reported as, NMLS or California DRE pre-licensing or continuing education — unless a specific course or module is expressly identified in writing, before enrollment, as NMLS- or DRE-approved for that specific purpose. No guarantee or promise is made or implied regarding income, earnings, employment, job placement, loan approval, funding, investment returns, or business success. Examples shown are for educational illustration only. Individual results vary and depend on effort, experience, qualifications, and market conditions.