Sales professionals, contractors and commission-based earners can qualify — lenders just look at income differently.
When a meaningful share of your income is commission, bonus or otherwise variable, lenders typically average it over a two-year period using tax returns and pay documentation, rather than annualizing your most recent pay stub. That means a strong recent quarter may not immediately count toward qualifying income, while a temporary dip may not sink you either — the average is what matters most.
If your income structure resembles self-employment more than a traditional paycheck, our self-employed buyer guide covers additional programs worth considering.