Yes, you can often get a mortgage after changing jobs, but the details matter. Lenders typically want to see stable income, and a job change is usually acceptable if your new role is in the same field or your income is similar or higher.

A recent job change is usually less of a concern when:

- You moved from one W-2 job to another W-2 job
- You stayed in the same industry or type of work
- Your pay structure is the same, such as salary to salary or hourly to hourly
- Your new income is equal to or higher than before
- You have an offer letter, employment contract, or first pay stub

It may require more review if:

- You changed industries completely
- You moved from W-2 employment to self-employment or 1099 income
- Your income now includes commission, bonus, overtime, or variable pay
- You have a gap in employment
- You are still in a probationary period
- You have not started the new job yet

If you recently accepted a new job but have not started, some loan programs may allow approval using an executed offer letter, as long as the start date and income are clearly documented. Lenders generally verify employment before closing and may require a pay stub once you begin.

For self-employed or commission-heavy income, lenders usually want a longer history, often around two years, to show the income is stable and likely to continue.

The key question is not just "Did you change jobs?" but whether your income is reliable, documented, and expected to continue. If your job change improved your situation or stayed consistent with your work history, it may not be a major issue.

Yes, you can usually get a mortgage after changing jobs - lenders care more about the *type* of change than the change itself. A move within the same field, especially one that increases your income, is often viewed positively.

**Job changes that are generally fine:**
- Same industry or similar role (e.g., nurse to nurse at a different hospital)
- A promotion or higher-paying position
- Returning to work after schooling in a related field
- A new salaried W-2 job with a signed offer letter

**Job changes that complicate things:**
- Switching from W-2 employee to self-employed (lenders typically want 2 years of self-employment history)
- Moving to a commission, bonus, or tip-heavy role (these variable income types usually need a 12-24 month track record)
- Changing to a completely unrelated industry
- Probationary periods written into the offer letter
- Gaps in employment between jobs

**What lenders generally want to see:**
- A two-year history of consistent employment (gaps and changes can be acceptable with a reasonable explanation)
- Recent pay stubs from the new job, or in some cases an offer letter and a verification of employment before your first paycheck
- Stable or increasing income trend

**A few practical tips:**
- Don't quit your current job *during* the loan process - even a lateral move mid-underwriting can derail closing
- If you're paid hourly, salary, or with a guaranteed base, you're in better shape than someone moving to 100% commission
- Avoid changing jobs between application and closing if at all possible; if you must, tell your loan officer immediately

Each loan program (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA) has slightly different rules around employment history, and underwriters do have flexibility for documented circumstances like career advancement or returning from school. The key is being upfront about the change early so your lender can structure the file correctly from the start.

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