Plenty of Sunset homeowners have far more in their accounts than their monthly income would suggest. Asset depletion, sometimes called asset utilization, looks at those balances and builds a qualifying income from them, so a retiree or someone living on investments can apply without a salary. Here is which accounts usually count, how that figure is built and what to raise with a Florida loan officer before you shop.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about asset depletion mortgages in Sunset. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Savings, investments and retirement income in Sunset
15.8% of Sunset households receive interest, dividend or rental income, and 19.0% receive retirement income. Owners 65 and older head 29% of owner-occupied homes here. Buyers whose wealth sits in accounts rather than a paycheck are the ones asset depletion programs are designed around.
Which of your accounts a lender may count
Begin by sorting what you own into two piles: money you could reach without selling a house or a business, and everything else. Lenders building an asset-based file look mostly at the first pile. Checking, savings and money market balances tend to carry the most weight because their value does not swing.
Brokerage holdings such as stocks, bonds and funds are often included at a discount, since a market drop could shrink them. Retirement accounts may be included if you can draw on them, sometimes after an allowance for taxes. Equity in real estate, a stake in a private company, vehicles and collectibles usually sit outside the calculation. An account shared with someone who is not on the loan may need that person's written consent before it counts.
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Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 508-8976. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
How a qualifying income is built from savings
The arithmetic follows a set order. The lender first confirms your eligible balances and applies any discounts the program requires. It then sets aside the money you will use for the down payment, closing costs and the reserves the program expects you to keep. Whatever remains is divided by a number of months the program chooses, and the result is treated as monthly income.
That figure is then weighed against your housing costs and other debts, just as a salary would be. Nothing in the calculation requires you to withdraw money on a schedule; it is a way to show capacity. If you also receive Social Security, a pension or annuity payments, many programs let you add those on, which can reduce how much the accounts need to carry.
Who this tends to fit
- You are retired and live on savings, investments or retirement accounts instead of a salary
- You inherited money that is held in cash or investment accounts
- You retired early and your income on paper is small next to your balances
- You want to downsize and your income alone would not qualify you
- Your Social Security or pension falls short without help from your assets
Local offices and Florida rules to know
- Property assessment: Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. The Property Appraiser handles the homestead exemption for permanent owners of a primary residence and offers an online application for homestead exemption and additional tax benefits.
Mortgage lenders, brokers and loan originators serving Florida are licensed by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Non-QM loans are made by the same licensed lenders and brokers, so you can confirm any company's or loan officer's license on NMLS Consumer Access before you apply.
Downsizing or adding a second home in Sunset
The timing of a move changes how an asset-based file comes together. Selling your current home first turns equity into cash, which can be counted once it is deposited and documented. Buying first means carrying two housing payments for a while, and the lender will measure your qualifying income against both.
A second home in the area brings its own checks. Lenders want to know how often you will be there, whether it will sit empty between visits and whether you plan to rent it. A property bought mainly to rent usually belongs to a separate class of loan. Before you make an offer, ask whether the program accepts the property type you have in mind, since condos, rural homes and properties with acreage can each be handled differently.
Before you call
- Your retirement plan's rules on whether and how you can take withdrawals
- Complete statements for every checking, savings, brokerage and retirement account you want counted
- Details of any margin loan or credit line secured by your investments
- A paper trail for any large deposit, such as the closing statement from a home or business sale
- A decision on how much cash you will put down and how much you will keep in reserve
Questions Sunset borrowers ask about asset depletion mortgages
Does an asset-based loan cost more than a standard one?
Non-QM asset depletion loans often price higher than agency loans, because the investor accepts more risk when income comes from balances instead of earnings. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have narrower asset-based options that may cost less if you fit them. Ask a loan officer to price both paths where possible and compare full Loan Estimates, not a single advertised figure.
Do retirement accounts count if I cannot withdraw without a penalty?
Some programs include them if you are able to access the funds, often after reducing the balance to allow for taxes and early-withdrawal costs. Others treat restricted retirement assets more cautiously or leave them out. Bring your plan documents so the lender can see your access rules. How a withdrawal would be taxed in your case is a separate matter, so talk to a tax professional.
Should I sell my current home before I buy?
Selling first usually makes an asset-based file simpler, because the proceeds can be documented and counted while your old payment drops away. Buying first lets you move on your own schedule but means the lender measures your income against two payments. The choice depends on your savings, the local market and how much uncertainty you can live with. A loan officer can model both orders.
How much do I need in savings to qualify?
There is no single answer, because it depends on the home price, your other debts, any other income and the number of months the program uses in its calculation. A loan officer can work backward from the home you want and show roughly what your accounts would need to support it. Running that exercise before you shop keeps you from falling for a home the figures cannot carry.
Get answers about asset depletion mortgages for a home in or around Sunset. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other non-QM options for Sunset borrowers
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Asset Depletion Mortgages near Sunset
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Related guides
- Asset Depletion Loans Explained: Qualifying With Savings and Investments
- What Is a Non-QM Loan?
- How to Compare Non-QM Loan Offers: Loan Estimates, Features and Fit
Asset Depletion Mortgages across Florida · Asset Depletion Mortgages guide · Florida overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, tables B19054, B19059 and B25007