Getting a Mortgage When Your Income Includes RSUs or Equity Compensation
Bay Area tech employees at companies like Apple, Google, Meta, Salesforce, Nvidia, OpenAI, Anthropic, and thousands of startups often receive a significant portion of their compensation in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), stock options (ISOs/NSOs), or other equity. Qualifying for a California jumbo mortgage when your base salary alone doesn’t meet the requirements — but your total comp does — requires a lender who understands equity compensation.
DiVita Home Finance specializes in mortgage financing for Bay Area tech employees with complex income structures.
How Lenders Treat RSU Income
Most conventional lenders and banks struggle with RSU income because Fannie Mae guidelines require a 2-year history of vesting income to count it as qualifying income. However, portfolio lenders and non-QM programs available through wholesale mortgage brokers like DiVita offer more flexibility:
- RSU income with 1-year history: Some lenders accept RSUs with only 12 months of vesting history plus a current grant schedule showing continued vesting
- Offer letter programs: Tech employees who just started a new role (or are about to start) can qualify on the strength of their offer letter — including total comp with RSU grants
- Asset depletion for vested stock: Vested RSUs and stock holdings can be used as assets, with the current value spread over 36–60 months as qualifying income
- 1099 RSU supplemental income: If you’ve been receiving and selling RSUs for 2+ years, we can use this documented income alongside your W-2 salary
Types of Equity Compensation We Can Work With
| Income Type | Lender Treatment | Documentation Needed |
|---|---|---|
| RSU vesting income | 2-yr avg or current grant schedule | Pay stubs, grant schedule, vesting history |
| Stock options (ISOs/NSOs) | Upon exercise — varies by lender | Exercise records, brokerage statements |
| ESPP shares | Can supplement income or reserves | ESPP statements, brokerage account |
| Vested stock/crypto | Asset depletion programs | Brokerage/exchange statements (60 days) |
| Startup equity (unvested) | Not qualifying income — but base + assets can work | Offer letter, cap table, base salary |
Offer Letter Mortgage for New Tech Employees
If you have a signed offer letter from a tech company (or have just started within 60 days), DiVita can help you close on a home before you’ve received your first paycheck. Lenders participating in offer letter programs will accept your total compensation package including base salary and projected RSU grants as qualifying income — making it possible to buy in Marin County, San Francisco, or Silicon Valley before your first vest.
Down Payment Options for Tech Buyers
- Sell vested RSUs: Most common — proceeds from selling shares go directly to down payment
- Pledged asset line (PAL): Some lenders allow you to borrow against your stock portfolio without selling
- Gift funds: Family gifts are acceptable with proper documentation
- 10% down jumbo programs: Available for loan amounts up to $3M for borrowers with 720+ credit and strong reserves
Talk to a Bay Area Mortgage Specialist
Michael DiVita has helped hundreds of Bay Area tech employees navigate jumbo mortgage qualification with RSU and equity income. We know how to present your file to the right lender — maximizing your qualifying income and getting you approved for the home you want.
📞 (800) 239-1103 | Apply Online | Serving Marin, SF, East Bay, Silicon Valley
