---
title: Mortgage Options Tailored for Realtors
description: Mortgages for realtors uses documented commission income to qualify. Learn how to prepare your income and get started with confidence today.
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 Jul 22, 2026, 2:45:00 PM

# Mortgage Options Tailored for Realtors

![Picture of Matthew Borgerson, Loan Officer](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Matt%20Borgerson%20Headshot.jpg?width=50&name=Matt%20Borgerson%20Headshot.jpg) [Matthew Borgerson, Loan Officer](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/author/matthew-borgerson-loan-officer)

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When you work in real estate, you spend plenty of time helping other people buy homes. But when it’s your turn, earning most or all of your income through commission can raise a few questions.

Will a lender look at your latest commissions? Does it matter that your income changes throughout the year? And does the process look different if you’re an independent contractor?

I work with real estate professionals across Maryland, DC, and Virginia, and these are all questions worth asking before you start your own home search. Commission income may be used to qualify for a mortgage, but how it’s looked at can depend on how you’re paid and the loan you’re considering.

Here’s what you need to know.

## Key Takeaways:

- Commission income may be used to qualify for a mortgage, depending on the loan requirements and the borrower’s circumstances.
- Lenders may look at commission earnings over time rather than relying on a single month or recent paycheck.
- How commission income is reviewed can depend on whether an agent is a W-2 employee, independent contractor, or business owner.
- Having less than two years of commission history doesn’t automatically mean you need to wait before exploring your mortgage options.
- Changes in commission income may affect how much income can be considered for a mortgage application.

---

 

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## Can Commission Income Be Used to Qualify for a Mortgage?

Yes, commission income may be used when qualifying for a mortgage.

Because commissions can change from month to month, a lender may need to look at your earnings over time rather than simply using your latest paycheck or your best month.

How that works can also depend on how you’re paid. An agent receiving commissions as a W-2 employee may have different income documentation from an independent contractor or someone who owns a brokerage.

That distinction matters because it can affect how your income is reviewed and what information you may need to provide.

## How Is Commission Income Looked At When it Comes to Mortgages?

Commission income can vary throughout the year, so lenders may look at your earnings over a period of time to work out what income can be considered for your mortgage application.

That means a particularly good month doesn’t necessarily become the income figure used to qualify. Your previous earnings and more recent income may both be relevant.

If your commissions have changed over time, that may also need to be considered. Exactly how the income is calculated will depend on the loan guidelines and your circumstances.

You don’t need to work out that calculation yourself. But it can be helpful to understand that the number a lender uses may look different from what you earned last month or what you expect to earn this year.

## Are Real Estate Agents Considered Self-Employed?

Not always. Real estate agents can be paid in different ways. Some receive W-2 income, while others work as independent contractors or own their own business or brokerage.

For a mortgage application, how you actually earn and report your income matters more than your job title.

Here’s a simple overview:

| *How You Earn Income* | *What It May Mean for Your Mortgage Application* |
| --- | --- |
| W-2 salary + commission | Both salary and commission income may need to be reviewed |
| W-2 commission income | Your commission history and employment documentation may be considered |
| Independent contractor | Your income may be reviewed under self-employment guidelines |
| Business or brokerage owner | Personal and business income information may need to be reviewed |

The exact requirements will depend on your situation and the loan you’re considering.

## What If You Haven’t Been Earning Commission for Two Years?

You may have heard that you need two full years of commission income before you can use it to qualify for a mortgage. That isn’t always the case.

Some mortgage guidelines allow commission income with a shorter history to be considered when certain requirements are met. So having less than two years of commission income doesn’t automatically mean you need to wait.

It also doesn’t mean that reaching a particular month automatically makes the income eligible. The lender may need to look at how long you’ve been receiving commissions and the other requirements of the loan.

If you’ve recently moved into a commission-based role, it can be worth checking where you stand before deciding to put your homebuying plans on hold.

## What If Your Commission Income Has Changed?

Anyone working in real estate knows that commission income doesn’t necessarily follow the same pattern every month. That’s one reason your income history can matter.

If your commissions have increased or decreased, a lender may need to look at that change when determining what income can be considered. A recent change doesn’t automatically tell you whether the income will or won’t be usable.

This is also why looking at your current commissions alone may not give you an accurate idea of where you stand. Your wider income history may provide a better picture.

## What Documents Might You Need to Provide to Lenders?

The paperwork can look different depending on how you’re paid.

Two real estate agents could earn similar amounts through commission but need to provide different information because one is a W-2 employee and the other works for themselves.

| *Income Structure* | *Documents You May Need* |
| --- | --- |
| W-2 salary + commission | Pay stubs, W-2s and employment information |
| W-2 commission income | Pay stubs, W-2s and information showing commission earnings |
| Independent contractor | Personal tax returns and relevant self-employment documentation |
| Business or brokerage owner | Personal and, when required, business tax returns and other business financial information |

You won’t necessarily need everything listed here. What’s required will depend on your income and the mortgage you’re applying for.

## Buying a Home When You Earn Commission

Earning commission doesn’t automatically put homeownership out of reach. It does mean there may be a little more to consider when working out what income can be used for your mortgage application, particularly if your earnings change throughout the year or you work for yourself.

If you’re a real estate agent in Maryland, DC, or Virginia, I can take a look at how you’re paid and help you understand how your commission income may be viewed before you start making plans around a particular budget. If you’re thinking about buying a home and want a clearer idea of where you stand, get in touch.

 

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does it matter if my commission income changes throughout the year?

Not necessarily. Commission income naturally varies for many real estate agents. A lender may look at your income over time rather than judging your application based on one particularly high or low month.

### Can I qualify for a mortgage if I recently changed brokerages?

A change of brokerage doesn’t automatically mean you can’t qualify. A lender may need to look at how the change affects your employment and income, along with the requirements of the loan you’re considering.

### Can I use income from another job alongside my real estate commissions?

Potentially. If you have income from another source, whether it can be included will depend on the type of income, your history of receiving it, and the applicable loan guidelines.

### Do business expenses affect mortgage qualification for independent agents?

They can. If your real estate income is treated as self-employment income, business expenses reported on your tax returns may be part of the lender’s income analysis. The amount your business brings in isn’t necessarily the same as the income that can be used for your mortgage application.

### Does a particularly strong year of commissions mean I can borrow more?

Not necessarily. A lender may need to consider your commission history rather than using your strongest year on its own. The amount you may qualify for will also depend on the other requirements of the mortgage.

 

**Sources:**

- [https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.3-02/bonus-commission-overtime-and-tip-income](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.3-02/bonus-commission-overtime-and-tip-income)
- [https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-01/standards-employment-and-income-documentation)
- [https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.5/self-employment-income](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.5/self-employment-income)
- [https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.6/self-employment-documentation-requirements-individual](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.6/self-employment-documentation-requirements-individual)
- [https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/licensed-real-estate-agents-real-estate-tax-tips](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/licensed-real-estate-agents-real-estate-tax-tips)
- [https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/statutory-nonemployees](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/statutory-nonemployees)

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