Can my Airbnb income help me qualify for a home loan?
The honest answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no — and it depends heavily on the loan type, the property type (primary, second home, or investment), and how well-documented that income is. Below is a practical, plain-English walkthrough for VA, Conventional, FHA, and DSCR loans so you can see where Airbnb/STR income fits (and where it doesn’t). Big Picture: How Lenders Look at Airbnb / STR Income Before we break it out by loan type, here’s what almost every lender cares about: Stability & history Is the income stable and likely to continue? For agency loans (VA, Conventional, FHA), this usually means tax returns and at least 12–24 months of history . How it shows up on paper Most commonly: Schedule E on your federal tax return (Form 1040) for rental income. Sometimes supporting items like 1099s or Airbnb payout statements. How the property is classified Primary residence – where you actually live. Second home / vacation home –...