Can you buy a house if your only income is Social Security?

Asked by: Dr. Beverly Barrows  |  Last update: November 25, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (69 votes)

As long as your income comes from an acceptable source, it shouldn't prevent you from getting approved for a mortgage. If you receive Social Security income, you can use it to qualify for a mortgage. But whether you'll ultimately be approved will depend on your overall financial situation.

Can I buy a home with only Social Security income?

If you're looking to get a mortgage using only your benefits, you'll need to have a strong credit history, show proof of your Social Security income, have a debt-to-income ratio under 43% and have cash for a down payment. If your lender is willing to gross up your income, you may qualify for an even larger loan.

Can you use Social Security as income for mortgage?

Most lenders consider pension, Social Security and investment income as your regular income. You may also be able to include your annuity, survivor or spousal benefits and retirement account income as long as you can prove it'll continue for at least 3 years. Your assets can contribute to your ability to get a loan.

Can a 65 year old get a 30 year mortgage?

Age doesn't matter. Counterintuitive as it may sound, your loan application for a mortgage to be repaid over 30 years looks the same to lenders whether you are 90 years old or 40.

Do mortgage lenders gross up Social Security income?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agency guidelines on Social Security Income For Mortgage Guidelines on Conventional Loans allow social security income on conventional loans can be grossed up by 25%.

Can You Buy A House on Social Security | Can you Buy a House on Social Security Disability

43 related questions found

Is my Social Security considered gross income?

Additionally, a portion of your Social Security benefits is included in gross income for tax, in any year the sum of half your Social Security benefit plus all of your taxable gross income, plus all of your tax-exempt interest and dividends, exceeds $25,000if filing single, or $32,000 if you are Married Filing Jointly.

How do lenders verify Social Security income?

Get a benefit letter to show that you receive benefits, have submitted an application, or don't receive benefits. This documentation is often needed for loan applications, housing assistance, and other processes that require verification of your income.

What is the oldest age you can get a mortgage?

Typically, this is either:
  • Your age when you take out a new mortgage, with the limit ranging from around 65 to 80.
  • Your age when the mortgage term ends, with the limit ranging from about 70 to 85.

At what age is it harder to get a mortgage?

In addition to rejection rates, adults over 60 do pay higher interest rates than younger borrowers. But, Amornsiripanitch found, this trend applies across the board.

Is it hard for seniors to get a mortgage?

Bottom line on mortgages for seniors

Retirees who have good credit, sufficient income and assets and not a lot of debt can get a mortgage or home loan. However, the process of obtaining one might look a little different and be a bit tougher.

Do banks look at income for mortgage?

Mortgage lenders prefer borrowers who have a stable, predictable income to those who don't. While they look at your income from any work, additional income (such as that from investments) is included in their assessment. Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is also very important to mortgage lenders.

How do I retire if I don't own a house?

You can retire comfortably as a renter, though it may take some extra planning, Zigmont said. “You need to plan on rental increases and the monthly expense,” he said. “Rather than investing in owning a home, the money you would have spent could be invested in the stock market or REITs if you want real estate exposure.”

Why do lenders gross up Social Security income?

If you're a retiree who depends on Social Security, in some cases you can gross up your Social Security income on financial paperwork. You would do this to make your income more accurately represent the equivalent amount of earned income when it comes to qualifying for loans or other financial programs.

Can you live on your own with Social Security?

Living on Social Security alone is not only possible, but many retirees already accomplish that very feat every year. While the lifestyle associated with Social Security income isn't exactly luxurious, it doesn't have to equal rice and beans for the rest of your life, either.

How many retirees have a mortgage?

More Than 10 Million People 65 and Older Have a Mortgage — Here's Where They Make up the Largest Share of Homeowners.

What is a strange but true free loan from Social Security?

The brief's key findings are: An unconventional strategy allows individuals to use early Social Security benefits like a “free loan,” paying back the principal while keeping the interest.

Can a bank deny a mortgage based on age?

A lender generally can't deny your loan application or charge you higher interest rates or fees because of your age. This rule applies to various types of lenders when they're deciding whether to give credit, such as an auto loan, credit card, mortgage, student loan, or small business loan.

At what age is it too late to purchase a home?

Thanks to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, there is no age limit to taking out a mortgage. As long as you can meet the financial requirements, you're allowed to take out a loan at any time. To take out a mortgage over 60 you will need to be able to prove your ability to repay the loan.

How many 70 year olds have a mortgage?

Nationally, a little more than 15 million homeowners 55 to 74 years old don't have a mortgage compared to about 17.7 million who do. For comparison, about 9.6 million homeowners 65 and up have a mortgage, while more than 16 million (16,184,634) don't.

Can you get a mortgage at age 70?

No age is too old to buy or refinance a house, if you have the means. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from blocking or discouraging anyone from a mortgage based on age.

Does your age affect getting a loan?

Each lender has their own set of criteria which have different upper and lower age limits, so it's worth shopping around to find one that suits you. The fact is, what most lenders will look at is your credit report. That is why it is important to check it yourself and report any inaccuracies.

Can a 90 year old get a loan?

Key Takeaways. It is illegal for lenders to discriminate and deny credit based on age. Older applicants are treated the same as younger ones: They need a reasonable amount of home equity and must prove that they can afford the monthly payments. Just because you can borrow money doesn't mean that you should.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

Does Social Security audit your bank account?

Social Security: Can the SSA Check Your Bank Accounts if You're On Disability? The Social Security Administration can only check your bank accounts if you have allowed them to do so. For those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the SSA can check your bank account because they were given permission.

What percentage of retirees have a mortgage?

A higher percentage of homeowners are retiring with a mortgage than was the case 30 years ago. A recent Harvard University study found that 46% of homeowners between ages 65 and 79 carried a mortgage in 2016, almost twice as many as the 24% of homeowners in this age group who carried a mortgage in 1990.