22 Oct 2026
You Can Afford a Home. So Why Can't You Get a Mortgage?
In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn King, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Arrive Home, about why some people struggle to qualify for a mortgage even when they have the income to afford the payments. Shawn explains how traditional mortgage underwriting can create challenges for self-employed borrowers, gig workers, and others with unconventional income or credit histories, and why alternative approaches to evaluating borrowers may help expand access to homeownership.
The conversation explores the differences between traditional and nontraditional credit, including how lenders verify income, evaluate credit scores, and assess a borrower's ability to repay. Shawn discusses the growing role of rent-payment history, how VantageScore differs from FICO, and why someone's credit profile doesn't always tell the complete story of their financial situation. He also shares the story of a renovated home that attracted 100 prospective buyers, none of whom could qualify for traditional financing despite paying comparable amounts in rent.
Paul and Shawn also examine ways to overcome common barriers to homeownership, including FHA loans, state and national down payment assistance programs, and Arrive Home's Earned Equity Program, which provides an alternative path for certain borrowers who cannot qualify for a traditional mortgage. Shawn explains how these programs work, who they may benefit, and why understanding the available options is important. He closes with advice for first-time homebuyers about affordability, building equity, and approaching homeownership as a long-term financial decision.
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Comment below: Do you think a history of paying rent on time should carry more weight when qualifying for a mortgage?
Connect with Mortgage Research Network:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork (https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork)
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Website: MortgageResearch.com (https://www.mortgageresearch.com/)
Connect with Shawn King:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skingbogus/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/skingbogus/)
Website: https://arrivehome.org/our-sales-team/shawn-king/ (https://arrivehome.org/our-sales-team/shawn-king/)
First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM (https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM)
Homebuyer Calculators: https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv (https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv)
Connect With a Lender: https://bit.ly/426Gyaw (https://bit.ly/426Gyaw)
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0:00 – Intro
0:27 – Meet Shawn King of Arrive Home
1:44 – What Is Traditional Credit?
2:49 – Who Are Nontraditional Borrowers?
4:37 – Can Rent Payments Help You Qualify?
7:18 – FICO vs. VantageScore
7:48 – How Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score
9:45 – Why You Don't Need 20% Down
10:37 – FHA Loans and Down Payment Assistance
12:54 – National Down Payment Assistance Programs
14:41 – Alternative Paths to Homeownership
16:45 – How the Earned Equity Program Works
17:41 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers
20:54 – The Long-Term Value of Homeownership
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#MortgageOptions #DownPaymentAssistance #Homebuying
