Qualifying for a Mortgage: Why Today's Market Feels Different Than a Decade Ago Remember when buying a home felt a little more within reach? Maybe you or someone you knew qualified for a mortgage with an income-to-debt ratio comfortably in the 30% range just ten years ago. It felt like a solid, achievable goal. Fast forward to today, and that same ratio is often closer to 50% for many aspiring homeowners. It's not your imagination; the landscape has indeed shifted dramatically. This isn't jus...