Common Reasons People Think They Can’t Qualify to Buy a House (But Actually Can)
Nov 21, 2025
Today I want to talk about common reasons people think they can’t qualify to buy a house — even though they absolutely can.
This topic came up because I was talking to a few clients this week, and once again, I found myself saying the same thing I’ve said for the last 18 years:
“You’re fine. You’re fine. You’re fine. Not a problem.”
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve said that in my career, I wouldn’t have one yacht — I’d be competing with Bezos for the biggest one.
People disqualify themselves all the time, and it breaks my heart — because most of the time, there was never actually a problem.
Why People Disqualify Themselves Before Ever Trying
I’ve been a lender for over 18 years. My team is one of the top purchase teams in the country, and nothing makes us happier than helping people plan for homeownership and actually get there.
And yet…
I talk to people every single week who waited years — sometimes decades — because they assumed they couldn’t qualify.
They never called.
They never applied.
They never asked.
Let me walk you through the biggest reasons why.
“My File Isn’t Good Enough” (AKA: The “Clean AF” Story)
One of my clients this week had what my team lovingly described as a “clean AF” file.
And yes — that’s a compliment.
That means:
- No red flags
- No hidden problems
- No scary underwriting issues
So I’m on the phone with him, and he says:
“Yeah, I was just nervous about buying a house.”
I ask why.
He tells me:
“I didn’t think I qualified.”
I’m literally looking at one of the cleanest files imaginable and thinking… how did we get here?
His answer?
Online affordability calculators.
Online Mortgage Calculators Are Junk (I Said What I Said)
Let’s just get this out of the way:
Online mortgage calculators are junk.
Even the ones built by mortgage companies — including my own.
Why?
- They’re built by tech teams, not lenders
- They don’t understand the loan-program nuance
- They don’t factor in real taxes, insurance, or state rules
- They use overly conservative (or wildly inaccurate) assumptions
I’ve tested them.
I’ve searched for a good one.
I want a good one.
It doesn’t exist.
Some calculators cap debt-to-income at 35% — which makes zero sense in high-cost states where 40–45% is completely normal.
Others don’t look at:
- Paying off a car to qualify
- Asset restructuring
- Different loan programs
- Real insurance or tax estimates
So if an online calculator told you that you don’t qualify, please stop believing it.
A real application with a real lender uses:
- A soft credit pull
- Actual documents
- Real state-specific data
- And your actual financial picture
We don’t do hard credit pulls without telling you. Ever.
Social Security Disability Income Counts (Yes, Really)
Another big one I see all the time:
“I didn’t know I could use Social Security disability income.”
Yes.
You can.
In fact, it’s even better than people realize.
Because Social Security disability income is non-taxable, we actually gross it up.
That means:
- $1,000/month becomes $1,250/month for qualifying purposes
I recently worked with a client who hadn’t bought in years because he didn’t realize this. Once we combined his part-time job income with his disability income, he qualified easily.
This comes up constantly.
Job History Myths That Refuse to Die
Another big misconception:
“I thought I had to be at my job for two years.”
Nope.
You need:
- A two-year history of working
- Not two years at the same job
- Not even two years in the same industry anymore
That guideline went away years ago.
You could have:
- Worked in customer service
- Then tech
- Then something else entirely
As long as there’s a two-year employment history and stable current income, we’re good.
I know this because I’ve been lending long enough to remember when that was a rule.
(It’s gone. Let it go.)
“I Don’t Make Enough Money” (Usually Just a Head Problem)
This one blows my mind sometimes.
I had a client say to me:
“Yeah… I only made $200,000 last year.”
Only.
So I ask:
- How much is the house?
- What debt do you have?
- Car payments? Support? Other properties?
Turns out:
- $500k purchase
- One $500 car payment
- No other debt
The issue wasn’t math.
It was perception.
Especially for self-employed borrowers, one “down year” doesn’t automatically kill a deal — especially if it still comfortably supports the purchase.
But people get inside their own heads and decide they’re not “ready enough” to even ask.
Why AI Is Making This Worse (I’m Sorry, But It Is)
I’m going to say this clearly:
AI is currently just as bad — if not worse — than affordability calculators when it comes to mortgages.
I’ve tested it.
Extensively.
AI tools scrape information written by:
- Bloggers who aren’t lenders
- Outdated articles
- Generic guidelines mashed together
Garbage in, garbage out.
So when someone says:
“ChatGPT told me I needed 40% down.”
Or:
“AI said my DTI couldn’t be over 35%.”
Please. Stop.
Do not disqualify yourself based on that.
Mortgage lending is nuanced, regulated, and highly situational. No algorithm can replace a real lender reviewing a real file.
The Real Tragedy: People Who Waited 10, 20, 30 Years
This is the part that genuinely gets to me.
When I sit down with people who delayed homeownership for decades — and we realize they could have qualified all along — it’s heartbreaking.
Not because of money.
But because of misinformation.
They didn’t try.
They assumed.
They waited.
And they didn’t need to.
Final Thoughts: Please Don’t Disqualify Yourself
If you’re thinking:
- “There’s probably a reason I can’t qualify.”
- “I’m just going to wait.”
- “I’ll call when I’m more read.y”
Please — just call.
We don’t charge to review your situation.
We don’t judge.
We’ll tell you the truth.
No matter how messy or “broken” you think your puzzle pieces are, we can look at them and tell you the plan.
And sometimes the answer really is:
“You’re fine.”
Please don’t disqualify yourself.
(786) 933-2077
