Do USDA loans require two years at the same job?

Do USDA loans require two years at the same job?

As we all know, work history can be critical when qualifying for a USDA loan and other programs such as VA, FHA, & Conventional mortgages.

Now, with that being said, do USDA loans require two years at the same job?

There is quite a bit of myth to this topic and in today’s video tip, I will provide the critical facts and explain the details. However, if you do know of anyone that may have been turned down due to their time on the job, please take advantage of our free Second Opinion Service (SOS) and see if we can help turn their financing around!

Do USDA loans require two years on the same job?

When I talk with buyers and Realtors alike, it is common to be asked if USDA loans require two years at the same job.

As you can imagine, guidelines regarding employment history are critical when trying to qualify for a USDA loan and mortgages in general.

USDA 3555 guidelines state the following regarding employment:

“There is no minimum length of time an applicant must have held a position to consider employment income as dependable.”

“However, the lender must verify the applicant’s employment for the most recent two full years and verify that the applicant’s income has been stable.”

Additionally, USDA guidelines confirm that “if an applicant indicates he or she was in school or in the military during any of this time, the applicant must provide evidence supporting this such as college transcripts or discharge papers.”

Also, for those buyers who may have just went back to work for various reasons it states: “If the applicant has recently re-entered the workforce after an absence to care for a family member or minor child, extended medical illness, or other circumstance reasonable to the lender, the applicant must provide evidence.”

However, in regards to gaps of employment, the guidelines further confirm: “The applicant should not have any gaps in employment of more than a month within the two year period prior to making the loan application.”

As always, “It remains the lender’s responsibility to analyze the gaps in employment as it relates to the probability of continued income”.

As you can see, not one size fits all in these scenarios and it is important to point out, that while you do not have to be on the same job for two years in order to qualify for a USDA loan, USDA approved lenders still must determine stable and dependable monthly income from verified sources.

Please remember that job stability provides strength with your qualifying and having long time employment at the same job can be a very strong compensating factor towards both underwriting and USDA Rural Development approval.