09/18/2026
You don't need a tenant to buy your next home anymore! Fannie Mae just removed one of the biggest holdups for current homeowners. 🏔️
The old bind: standard contracts give you ~30 days to close, but counting rental income from your current home required a signed lease, meaning a tenant found, vetted, and under contract in that same window. Many buyers couldn't pull it off. The result? Buyers sat on the sidelines, rushed into weak leases just to hit a deadline, or ended up qualifying for two full mortgage payments at once.
What changed, effective 9/2: lease agreements are no longer required for a departing residence! Instead, rental income can be documented with an appraisal, form 1007 (rental value estimate), or a market analysis (Zillow, Redfin, MLS) with at least 3 comparable rentals. No tenant required to qualify.
Still applies: we use 75% of market rent to offset your current payment, and 6 months of reserves are required unless you already have 12+ months of landlord experience.
Bottom line: you can buy your next home first, and take real time to find the right tenant instead of whoever will sign fastest.
Own a home and ready for your next one? Let's run your numbers. 🌲
