11/02/2026
Think a high salary automatically means getting a big mortgage is easy? Not quite. 👀
This is one of the biggest surprises I see: Someone has a great income… but they’re not qualifying for nearly as much as they expected.
Why? Because lenders don’t just look at what you make. They look at what you already owe, too.
Think of it this way:
💰 Your income = what’s coming in
💳 Your debt = what’s already spoken for… Student loans. Credit cards. Lines of credit. Other monthly debt payments.
Car loans are the worst for affecting your qualifications
All of these can affect how much mortgage you qualify for. Lenders use debt service ratios to look at how much of your income is going toward your housing costs and other debts.
Which means two people earning the exact same salary could potentially qualify for very different mortgage amounts.
That’s why getting pre-approved before you start seriously house hunting can be so helpful.
It’s not just about asking: “How much can I borrow?” It’s about understanding your entire financial picture and knowing what actually makes sense for you.
A high income is a great starting point, but your debt matters too.
Save this if you’re planning to buy a home and want to understand what lenders are looking at!
BOOK A MEETING TODAY
Sabeena Bubber | Mortgage Broker + Financial Strategist
M: 604-862-8526
E: [email protected]
W: www.sabeenabubber.caThink a high salary automatically means getting a big mortgage is easy? Not quite. 👀
This is one of the biggest surprises I see: Someone has a great income… but they’re not qualifying for nearly as much as they expected.
Why? Because lenders don’t just look at what you make. They look at what you already owe, too.
Think of it this way:
💰 Your income = what’s coming in
💳 Your debt = what’s already spoken for… Student loans. Credit cards. Lines of credit. Other monthly debt payments.
Car loans are the worst for affecting your qualifications
All of these can affect how much mortgage you qualify for. Lenders use debt service ratios to look at how much of your income is going toward your housing costs and other debts.
Which means two people earning the exact same salary could potentially qualify for very different mortgage amounts.
That’s why getting pre-approved before you start seriously house hunting can be so helpful.
It’s not just about asking: “How much can I borrow?” It’s about understanding your entire financial picture and knowing what actually makes sense for you.
A high income is a great starting point, but your debt matters too.
Save this if you’re planning to buy a home and want to understand what lenders are looking at!
BOOK A MEETING TODAY
Sabeena Bubber | Mortgage Broker + Financial Strategist
M: 604-862-8526
E: [email protected]
W: www.sabeenabubber.ca