To qualify: 1) inventory eligible assets → 2) apply haircuts → 3) choose the strongest divisor → 4) stack other income → 5) confirm down (20%+) + reserves → 6) get pre-approved → 7) shop investors & close. See Requirements.
On this page
The 7-step playbook
Inventory your eligible assets
Cash, investment & retirement accounts in your name; 2–3 months statements, every page.
Apply the correct haircuts
Cash ~100%, stocks ~70%, retirement 60–80% by age → your true pool.
Choose the strongest divisor
Model 60–360 months; take the shortest program you qualify for.
Stack other income
Add Social Security, pension, dividends on top of the asset figure.
Confirm down payment & reserves
20%+ down + closing + reserves (often met by the same assets).
Get pre-approved
Submit statements, ID & credit → price & down payment you qualify for.
Shop investors & close
Make specialty investors compete on rate, then close in ~21–30 days.
If you come up short — how to close the gap
| Short spot | The fix |
|---|---|
| Qualifying income too low | Choose a shorter divisor (60–84 mo) |
| Still short after divisor | Stack SS / pension / dividends on top |
| Assets below the minimum | Combine with other income; lower price point |
| Loan too large for income | Increase down payment to shrink the loan |
| Retirement discounted heavily | Wait for 59½ / use Roth (often ~100%) |
| Large unexplained deposit | Paper-trail & season the funds |
| Rate too high on one quote | Shop specialty investors to compete |
Reviewed by the licensing team at Save Financial, a California-licensed mortgage brokerage (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766) founded in 2009 and serving all 58 counties from offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey. Nothing here is tax advice.