Based on my credit score and my DTI ratio, I am preapproved for a certain amount that is a tad lower than the house I want to buy (thanks to the outrageous HOA fees in this area...) I do not want a cosigner as paying the mortgage won't be a problem because I will be renting out the other room, but I am wondering how I can decrease my DTI ratio, besides the obvious?
In terms of liabilities -- I have student loans whose minimum monthly payments most likely will not be changing anytime soon, a car loan that has 2 more years (and while there is the option to refinance for seemingly lower monthly payments while still making the same ones now, I want to avoid pulling credit so many times in a row so that's out as well) and paying down credit card debt which is already my step 1.
As for increasing my income, I am looking to switch jobs right now in the same industry -- I have just about 3 years of consecutive work history in the same industry, and with the jobs I am looking at I am hoping for a higher salary offer.
Question is: will the lender (NFCU Homebuyers Choice program to be specific) use the new increase in salary to determine a pre-approval since it is in the same industry? Or will they only look at my previous W-2's?
Thanks in advance! This place is absolutely perfect and I'm just trying to figure out a way to get a higher preapproval so that even if this place doesn't work out, at least my search price range can be a little more flexible! 
Thanks, Brian!
I will definitely need to call NFCU to make sure, and they've been very helpful with answering any questions but I figured I'd check here first to get a quick answer so I don't seem naive when I call to ask 
