DTI-questions on how it works

[Rigo V.]

Hello All,

I am currently in the process of saving for a downpayment for an investment property. I want to primarily especialize in buy and holds and had a question about DTI.

1) Is DTI the only thing that a loan officer or bank will consider when approving a loan? (Keep you from getting a loan?)

2) what is considered an ok DTI? 40%?

3) I share my mortgage with my fiancé. Does the whole mortgage count against my DTI or 50%?

4) how do investors scale? I'm assuming that if I buy a good cash flowing property that my DTI should improve