09/09/2026
Most homeowners don’t know this yet 🏡
Fannie Mae made a quiet change that could help some buyers move without selling their current home.
Here’s the simple version:
Let’s say you own a home with a low mortgage rate.
Maybe 3%.
Maybe 4%.
You want to buy your next home, but you don’t want to give up that low payment.
Before, the big question was:
“Can I qualify for the new home while still keeping the old one?”
That was hard for a lot of people.
Why?
Because the mortgage payment on the current home still counted against them.
And using future rent from that home could create a timing problem.
You may not have a tenant yet.
You may not have a lease yet.
You may not even know your exact moving date yet.
Now, for an eligible departing residence, documented market rent may be used to help offset that current mortgage payment.
In plain English:
You may be able to keep your current home, turn it into a rental, and still qualify for the next house.
Example:
Your current home could rent for $2,400/month.
Fannie Mae may allow 75% of that rent to be used for qualifying.
That equals $1,800/month.
If your current mortgage payment is $1,900/month, most of that payment may be offset.
That can make a big difference.
No tenant lined up before closing.
No signed lease before closing.
No first month’s rent or security deposit collected upfront.
But this is not automatic.
Credit matters.
Income matters.
Reserves matter.
DTI matters.
Property details matter.
Lender overlays may still apply.
The point is simple:
Before you sell a home with a low mortgage rate, run the numbers first.
There may be a smarter way to move.😉
“Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide — Departing Residence Rental Income
https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.8-05/rental-income-non-subject-property-departing-residence “
