Why Your Job Location Matters When Buying a Home — Even in the Remote Work Era

In a world where Zoom meetings have replaced office commutes, it might seem like where you work doesn’t really matter anymore—especially when buying a home. But if you’re applying for a mortgage and buying a primary residence, your job location still plays a big role in qualifying.

Lenders care not just about how much you make, but also where your income is coming from and how it ties to your intended residence. And if you’re planning to move to a different city, county, or state, there are key factors that could affect your approval.

Here’s what you need to know—and how to plan ahead.

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What Is a Primary Residence Loan?

First, let’s define it. A primary residence is the home you intend to live in as your main home—where you sleep, receive mail, and spend most of your time.

Primary residence loans come with:

• Lower interest rates

• Lower down payment options

• More flexible underwriting guidelines

But because of these perks, lenders take primary occupancy very seriously—and that’s where your job location comes into play.

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Why Job Location Still Matters to Lenders

Lenders want to verify that your move makes sense based on your employment. If you say you’re buying a home 2 hours away from your job, but don’t work remotely, that raises red flags. Here’s what they look at:

1. Commuting Distance

If your office is in City A and you’re buying in City B, lenders ask: Can this borrower realistically commute?

If not, you’ll need to show:

• A remote work agreement, or

• Proof of job relocation to the new area

2. Consistency of Employment

Lenders want to know that your income will continue and be stable after your move. If you’re changing cities, you’ll need to verify how your job aligns with the new location.

3. Intent to Occupy

For primary residence loans, you’re required to move in within 60 days of closing and live there for at least 12 months. If your work situation makes that unlikely, the loan could be denied—or treated as a second home or investment property (which come with stricter terms).

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 What If You Work Remotely?

Great question—and here’s where things have evolved post-2020.

If you’re fully remote or hybrid, lenders may allow you to buy farther from your employer’s headquarters—but they’ll want it in writing.

Here’s what helps:

• A remote work letter or agreement from your employer stating you can work from anywhere

• Paystubs and W-2s that support your current income

• Clarity around whether your role is permanently remote, hybrid, or subject to change

Without this documentation, underwriters may question whether your move is legitimate—and may deny your primary residence status.

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Relocating for Work? What to Know

If you’re relocating to a new area for a job, your lender may ask for:

• An employment offer letter with a start date

• Verification of your salary and position

• Evidence that you’re moving for work (not buying an investment property disguised as a primary)

Depending on your timeline, we can structure your loan to close before or after your job transition, but it needs to be planned out upfront.

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Why You Need a Mortgage Strategist (Not Just a Lender)

Too often, people assume their job status won’t be an issue—until an underwriter flags the file and delays or denies the loan. As a mortgage strategist, I look at the full picture of your income, location, timeline, and intent before you even apply.

Whether you’re:

• Working remotely

• Relocating for a new opportunity

• Moving to a different county or state

• Turning your current home into a rental while buying in a new market…

I’ll help you structure the loan the right way—with the right documentation upfront—so your move is seamless and stress-free.

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Ready to buy your next home with confidence?

Working remotely but want to move out of the area? Let’s make sure your loan reflects your flexibility. I’ll help you gather the right documents and structure the deal the smart way.

Chenine Lozano
Mortgage Broker
Chenine@ChenineLozano.com
W: (562) 620-7662
C: (562) 762-7511
NMLS #1655101 DRE#02069548
Endeavor Mortgage NMLS  #355050