How do you get a mortgage if you have a job?

A dependable income is a must for getting a mortgage. Lenders want evidence that you'll be able to repay a loan, so typically they like to see a steady two-year work history with a stable or rising income. "The more consistent your job and work history are, the better," Scott Lindner, national sales director at TD Bank, said via email.

How long should you be unemployed for a mortgage?

Most mortgage lenders require only a two-year work history, so if any gaps exist before then, you should be fine. During that two-year period, a gap of a month or two may also be overlooked, but being unemployed for six months or longer could be a red flag. The same is true of frequent job changes or swings in income.

Do you need a job history to get a mortgage?

Mortgage lenders understand that not everyone has a consistent, linear employment history from the time they turn 16. But they also know that steady employment is a good indicator that a borrower will repay their mortgage. Most mortgage lenders require only a two-year work history, so if any gaps exist before then, you should be fine.