If you’ve ever said, “I’d love to buy a home, but I just don’t make enough money,” you’re not alone. A lot of people feel the same way—and the truth is, most of them have never actually sat down with someone to figure it out.
At Ramon Espinoza Home Loans, we talk to folks all the time who assume homeownership is out of reach. But guess what? Many of them can buy—and those who can’t yet, usually aren’t far off. We don’t judge where you’re starting from. We just help you get where you’re going.
We don’t say “no”; we say “how.”
Start with the Facts, Not Fear
Before you decide you don’t make enough, ask yourself: Have you talked to a lender? Have you looked at your actual income, debt, and credit side by side? Or are you just going off what you’ve heard from friends or what feels out of reach?
We’ve had people come in with modest incomes, little savings, and still qualify for a home because they had low debt, solid credit, and access to down payment assistance. On the flip side, some folks with six-figure salaries had so much monthly debt they couldn’t qualify. It’s not just how much you make—it’s what you’re doing with it.
What We Look At Together
When someone says, “I don’t think I make enough,” here’s how we walk through the real numbers:
- Income: Salary, hourly, overtime, commission, bonuses—even a side job—can all count
- Debt: Car payments, student loans, and credit cards—these affect your monthly ratio
- Credit: A solid score opens doors, but we offer free credit repair if you need help
- Down Payment: Many qualify for assistance programs that cover all or part of it
- Co-signers: A parent or grandparent can help boost your buying power
A lot of people have more buying power than they realize. And if you’re not quite there yet, we’ll map out what steps to take—whether that’s asking for more hours at work, paying off one small debt, or cleaning up credit.
“I’ve Got Debt—So I’m Definitely Out, Right?”
Not necessarily. Most people have some debt, and that doesn’t automatically disqualify you. What matters is your debt-to-income ratio—that’s how much of your income goes toward monthly debt payments. If it’s too high, we’ll look for ways to bring it down.
Maybe you’ve got two car loans and a few credit cards. That’s real, and we get it. But if you’re willing to be strategic—maybe consolidate a loan or knock out one card—that small move could mean the difference between “not yet” and “approved.”
What About My Side Hustle?
Your side hustle counts, but it has to show up on paper. For example, if you’re driving Uber or doing freelance work, make sure it’s documented. If you’re self-employed or a 1099, we’ll look at how much you report after expenses. You will need two years of a part-time job to use the income to qualify. A lot of folks write off everything they can—which lowers their tax bill, but also lowers what we can use as income. We’ll talk through the tradeoffs and find the right path for you.
Don’t Count Yourself Out Before We Count You In
So many buyers talk themselves out of the process before they ever even ask the right questions. We’re here to change that.
Buying a home in Arizona is possible—even if you think it isn’t. It starts with a conversation. We’ll take a real look at your situation, explain what’s possible, and if you’re not ready just yet, we’ll show you what to do next. Whether it’s building credit, paying down a little debt, or getting a co-signer involved, there’s almost always a how.
Your Next Move
If you’ve been assuming homeownership is out of reach because of income, let’s talk. We’ll help you find out what you can afford and how to move toward your goal, step by step. You don’t need to figure it all out alone—we’re here to guide you.
We don’t say “no”; we say “how.”
Ready to see if buying is possible for you? Reach out to the REHL Team Clemente at: clemente@ramonespinozahomeloans.com or Ramon at ramon@ramonespinozahomeloans.com.
Se habla Español.
