Updated October 2026 by Texas Made Mortgage, Frisco, TX.
Quick answer: Yes. Lenders want stable, likely-to-continue income, not two years at one employer. A new job in the same field with a signed offer letter usually qualifies right away. Conventional loans can even close before your start date when the start is within 90 days of closing and you have reserves; FHA and VA generally want you to have started and received a pay stub, or to be close to it; physician and nurse programs accept contracts with start dates a few months out. A job change during the loan is fine if you tell your loan officer first.
What do lenders mean by “two years of employment”?
They want a two-year history of income, not two years with one company. A graduate who just started a job in their degree field, a nurse who moved hospitals, or an engineer who changed employers for a raise all have an explainable history. Trouble starts when the new job is in a different field, moves from salary to commission or self-employment, or has a probationary clause that could end it.
Can I close on a house before I start the new job?
Conventional: Fannie Mae allows closing before the start date if you have a signed, non-contingent offer letter or contract, the start date is within 90 days of the note date, and you have enough reserves or other income to cover payments until the paychecks begin. Some lenders require the start within 60 days.
FHA: Generally wants you to be on the job with a pay stub before closing, though a documented start date shortly after closing can work with reserves. Lender overlays vary.
VA: Similar to FHA. Military-to-civilian transitions with a firm start date are common and workable.
Physician and nurse loans: Built for this. A signed employment contract with a start date up to 60 to 90 days out can document income before day one. See doctor and nurse loans.
What documents replace a pay stub?
The signed offer letter or employment contract showing title, salary, start date and any contingencies.
A verbal or written verification of employment from the new employer confirming the offer.
Proof the contingencies (background check, drug test, licensing) are cleared.
Bank statements showing reserves, typically enough to cover the payments until the first paycheck.
Your prior two years of W-2s or returns to establish history.
What if I change jobs while my loan is in process?
Call your loan officer before you accept. Employment is re-verified within days of closing, and an unannounced job change can stop a closing. Most same-field, salary-to-salary moves are approved with the new offer letter and, usually, one pay stub. Moves to commission, bonus-heavy or self-employed income are the ones that need a two-year history and can delay or reset the file.
Which income types need a longer history?
Commission and bonus: usually a two-year average, sometimes one year with a strong explanation.
Self-employment: two years of returns for conventional, or a bank statement loan with 12 to 24 months of deposits.
Overtime and shift differential: two-year history to average, though nurses with consistent differentials are often approved on less.
Part-time second jobs: two years to be counted.
Does relocating to Texas for the job change anything?
No, other than logistics. We close out-of-state buyers remotely with a mobile notary, and we qualify you on the Texas property tax and insurance figures. A relocation package that covers closing costs is counted as a seller-style credit when documented.
Frequently asked questions
Does a probationary period hurt?
Lenders prefer no probation clause, but a standard 90-day introductory period is usually acceptable if the offer is otherwise firm.
Can a raise from the new job be used?
Yes. Lenders use the new salary from the offer letter once it is verified, not your old pay.
I was unemployed for six months. Is that a problem?
Gaps over 60 days need a letter of explanation. School, caregiving, relocation and layoffs are all common and workable with a new job in hand.
Starting a new job and ready to buy? Talk to a loan officer at Texas Made Mortgage in Frisco or call 817-567-8014 and we will tell you exactly which program fits your timeline.
Texas Made Mortgage, NMLS #2676326. This article is general education, not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Agency guidelines and lender overlays vary. All loans subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.
