FHA Refer/Eligible

Running a preapproval on FHA, credit is 741 so first thought went conventional. But customer wants a higher approval than conventional allows. So, trying to get max approval going over 50% DTI on FHA, but the only payment is the new housing, no other debts. Cannot get approve/eligible only refer/eligible. Tried 56%, 53% and 48% and still a refer. Do I need to knock this down to 43% housing ratio, since that’s all that’s making up the current DTI? Any advice appreciated. Thanks