Homebuyer Workshop: Qualifying for a Mortgage – Your Job, Money and Debts


Wondering how lenders decide how much home you can afford?
Join me for the next session in my First-Time Homebuyer Workshop series where we’ll break down:

  • How your income and job history factor into qualifying
  • How your income and job history factor into qualifying
  • What debts matter most (and which ones don’t)
  • Strategies to improve your debt-to-income ratio
  • Real examples of how different loan programs view qualifying

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm (Lunch & Learn)
Where: Free Zoom Webinar — cameras off, learning on!

RSVP at www.mortgageporter.com/education

Attendees get access to an online dashboard with recordings of all past workshops, including sessions on credit and down payment strategies.

Let’s make sure you’re fully prepared to qualify with confidence!

Home Buying Hack for Roommates

I have a great tip for you if you’re currently renting with a roommate and considering buying a home. The HomeReady program allows for you to use “boarder income” to qualify for your next home. If you’re thinking about buying a home where your roommate will continue to pay you rent, you may be able to use that rental income for qualifying for your new mortgage on a one-unit home. [Read more…]

Qualify for Investment Property based on Cash Flow

If you are looking at adding to your real estate investment portfolio, I may have some good news for you! We have a new program that allows investors to qualify for a mortgage based on the property’s cash flow. [Read more…]

The REAL Income Needed to Buy Median-Priced Home in Seattle

Seattle income

KOMO News is reporting that it takes an income of $105K to buy a median-priced home in the Seattle area. This is based off a report from HSH.com.  When you dig deeper into the report, here’s how HSH.com came up with their numbers: [Read more…]

Buying a Home Using Your S.O.’s Income

Recently I helped a couple buy a home in King County. They’re engaged, had been living together for many years and were ready to purchase their first home. One of them, Billy Bellevue, had some credit issues and it made more sense for them to only have Susie Seattle’s on the transaction. [Read more…]

Got Bonus? Part 2: Stocks

On Part 1 of Got Bonus, I covered how lump sum cash or increases to salary are treated when it comes to qualifying for a home mortgage loan. In this post, I’ll address how bonuses that are in the form of company stock are treated by lenders. [Read more…]

Got Bonus?

The Seattle Times announced yesterday that Boeing employees will be receiving a record $600 million in bonuses starting next week. From the Seattle Times:

“Boeing’s nearly 66,000 current employees in the state will be eligible for the bonuses. More than 6,000 more who worked at least part of last year before leaving the company will get a partial bonus, prorated according to how long they worked last year.” [Read more…]

How Much Income and Down Payment do You *Really* Need to Buy a Home in Seattle?

The local media is picking up on an article written by HSH.com that could depress Seattle area home buyers regarding how much income is needed to buy a home in various metropolitan cities. The report relies on data provided by NAR and… ready for this… claims that you need to have an income of $73,851.06 in order to buy a home in the Emerald City.

[Read more…]