How Much Income Do I Need To Qualify?
Calculating qualifying income isn't always as simple as looking at your salary. We help you understand how lenders view your earnings to ensure a smooth approval process.
The Income Calculation
Lenders use Gross Monthly Income (before taxes) to calculate your ratios. However, different types of income are treated differently:
W-2 Employees
We use your current base salary or hourly rate. Overtime and bonuses usually require a 2-year history to be counted.
Self-Employed
We typically use a 2-year average of your net taxable income (after business expenses). Specialized "Bank Statement" programs are available for unique cases.
Other Types of Qualifying Income
In 2026, many homeowners rely on diverse income streams. Rob Miller is an expert at documenting "non-traditional" income to maximize your qualification:
- Social Security & Pensions: We can often "gross up" non-taxable income by 25% to increase your qualifying power.
- Rental Income: If you're buying a multi-unit or have existing rentals, we can use 75% of the projected rent to help you qualify.
- Alimony & Child Support: If you've received these consistently for 6–12 months and they are expected to continue for 3+ years, they can be counted.
- Investment Income: Dividends, interest, and capital gains can be counted if they show a stable 2-year history.
Get Your Personal Income Analysis
Income qualification is complex, especially for business owners or those with multiple income sources. Rob Miller will provide a comprehensive review of your tax returns and paystubs to give you an absolute qualifying number you can take to the bank.
Review My Income with Rob