✨ Let's start simple
How does your paycheck work? 💵
Pick the one that sounds most like you — no wrong answers here!
💼 Your business
What kind of business do you own? 🏢
This tells us which tax forms your accountant filed — we'll show you exactly where to look!
🏘️ Rental income
Rental Property Income 🏠
Lenders count 75% of your rental income — they save 25% for possible vacancies. We'll look at your Schedule E tax form.
Line 3
Rents received ← total rent for the year ✅
$XX,XXX
Lines 5–19
Expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs)
($X,XXX)
Line 18
Depreciation expense ← we add this back ✅
$X,XXX
Line 21
Net income or (loss) ← your bottom line
$X,XXX
🏘️
Monthly Qualifying Rental Income
$0
75% vacancy factor applied · add to other income in DTI tab
📋 Rental Income Breakdown
🏦 Loan type
What kind of home loan? 🏠
Each loan type has different rules for how much debt you can have. Not sure? Conventional is the most common!
🏡 Affordability
How much house can I afford? 🏡
Tell us your income, debts, and down payment — we'll figure out your max price! No guessing required.
Monthly qualifying income
From your W2 or Self-Employed tab
$
Current monthly debts
Car, student loans, credit cards, etc.
$
Down payment saved
$
Today's interest rate (%)
Ask your lender or check Bankrate.com
Loan length
Loan type
Estimated monthly taxes
Annual property tax ÷ 12
$
Estimated monthly insurance
Homeowner's insurance. Usually $80–$200/mo.
$
🏡
Maximum Purchase Price
$0
Based on your income and debts
📋 Affordability Breakdown
Was this section easy to use? 👀
📚
The Cheat Sheet
Every tax form, line number, and rule — in plain English!
📄
W2 Employee — Where to Find Each Number
| Income Type | Document | Exact Line | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | W2 | Box 1 | Full annual amount |
| Hourly Pay | Paystub | Regular Rate × 40hrs × 52 | Capped at 40 hrs/week |
| Overtime | W2 + Paystub | Box 1 minus base; YTD OT | 2-year average |
| Bonus | W2 + Paystub | Box 1 minus base; YTD Bonus | 2-year average |
| All totals | — | — | Use lower of avg or annualized YTD |
💼
Self-Employed — Tax Return Line Numbers
| Item | Form | Line # | Add Back? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point (AGI) | Form 1040 | Line 11 | — starting point |
| Depreciation | Schedule C | Line 13 | ✅ Yes |
| Depletion/Amortization | Schedule C | Line 12 | ✅ Yes |
| Business Use of Home | Form 8829 | Line 36 | ✅ Yes |
| One-Time Loss | Documented | Various | ✅ Yes (if documented) |
| Meals & Entertainment | Schedule C | Line 24b | ❌ No |
| Car Expenses | Schedule C | Line 9 | ❌ No |
| Net Profit / Loss | Schedule C | Line 31 | — bottom line |
⚖️
DTI Limits — How Much Debt Can You Have?
| Loan Type | Standard Max | With Strong Factors | Front-End Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Conventional | 45% | Up to 50% (via DU/LPA) | No hard cap |
| 🏠 FHA | 43% | Up to 50% | 31% |
| 🎖️ VA | 41% | Over 41% if residual income OK | No limit |
| 🌾 USDA | 41% | Up to 44% via GUS | 29% |
🌟
Other Income — What Counts?
| Income Type | Proof Needed | How It's Counted |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | Award letter + 1099-SSA | Full amount; +25% if non-taxable |
| Pension / Retirement | Award letter or 1099-R | Full monthly amount |
| Rental Income | Schedule E + lease | 75% of gross rent |
| Child Support (you receive) | Court order + receipts | Full amount; must continue 3+ yrs |
| Disability (long-term) | Policy + award letter | Full monthly benefit |