Most homebuyers don't realize their "salary" and their "qualifying income" for a mortgage are two very different numbers.
In this video, I walk through a real conversation I have all the time with buyers: someone tells me they make $150,000 —
but when we break it down, their actual base salary is $120,000, and the other $30K is overtime, bonus, or commission that hasn't even been earned yet.
This isn't a small distinction. Getting it wrong can:
• Blow up a pre-approval before you even start shopping
• Surface even later — after you're under contract, with earnest money, appraisal fees, and inspection costs already spent
• Cost you thousands of dollars in a deal that falls apart over income you thought counted but didn't
How to protect yourself:
✅ Know your base hourly or salary amount first
✅ Separately track your historical overtime, bonus, and commission income
✅ Work with a lender who actually reviews your documentation — not just your word
A good lender should catch this in the first conversation. Not every lender will.
If you're planning to buy a home, know your real numbers before you start shopping. It could save you thousands.
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🔗 kevinbrierton.com
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