Star Harris
Star Harris helps buyers, sellers, first-time homebuyers, relocation clients, real estate investors, fix-and-flip buyers, rental property buyers, and families throughout Illinois and the St. Louis Metro area.
Illinois License Number: 475.189193
Missouri License Number: 2021020166
Whether you are scheduling a showing, attending an open house, buying your first home, selling your current property, or investing in real estate, Star Harris would love to become your local REALTOR® and serve the community.
Real Estate Services With Star Harris
First-Time Buyers
Guidance with pre-approval, down payment assistance, earnest money, inspections, seller credits, closing costs, and choosing the right area.
Down Payment Assistance
Education on grant options, assistance programs, buyer cash needed to close, seller contributions, and affordable buying strategies.
Fix & Flip Investors
Help reviewing resale demand, repair scope, after-repair value, holding costs, contractor timelines, and exit strategy.
Buy & Sell Investors
Support with rentals, multifamily homes, BRRRR opportunities, value-add properties, and long-term wealth-building strategies.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
Use this interactive calculator to estimate a comfortable purchase price before scheduling showings with Star Harris.
Formula: Monthly debts ÷ gross monthly income = DTI percentage.
Best Underwriting Range
For clean underwriting, an ideal back-end DTI is often around 36% to 43%. Lower DTI usually gives the borrower more approval room and fewer risk layers.
FHA DTI Guideline
FHA commonly uses 31% front-end and 43% back-end as traditional benchmarks. Higher DTI may be possible with automated approval and strong compensating factors.
Conventional DTI Guideline
Conventional loans often work best around 36% to 45%. Automated underwriting may allow up to 50% depending on credit, reserves, loan type, and risk.
VA DTI Guideline
VA loans often use 41% as an important DTI reference point, but VA also looks closely at residual income and overall borrower strength.
When DTI Gets Risky
Once DTI moves above 45% to 50%, underwriting may require stronger credit, verified reserves, lower payment shock, or a cleaner debt profile.
How To Improve DTI
- Pay down credit cards.
- Avoid new debt.
- Increase down payment if possible.
- Use seller credits strategically.
- Consider a lower purchase price.
Schedule A Tour, Buy A Home, Or List Your Home
🏡 Schedule A Tour
Compare property condition, location, schools, commute, taxes, repair needs, neighborhood demand, and long-term fit before making an offer.
🔑 Buy A Home
Get help with home search, showings, offer strategy, inspections, seller credits, earnest money, and closing preparation.
📣 List Your Home
Prepare your property, review comparable sales, market the listing, negotiate offers, and stay informed from listing to closing.
Star Harris Service Area Guide
Click each area below to learn about housing, schools, lifestyle, buyer fit, and investor opportunities.
Work With Star Harris
Whether you are buying your first home, selling your current home, relocating, investing, or scheduling a tour, Star Harris is ready to help you make confident real estate decisions.
RE/MAX Results Realty
Direct Phone: (618) 581-2794
Illinois License Number: 475.189193
Missouri License Number: 2021020166