To buy a house without a job, individuals can leverage alternative income sources, co-signers, or specific loan programs. Self-employed individuals may use tax returns or business cash flow. Rental income from owned properties can qualify. A co-signer with stable income and good credit can help meet lenders' requirements. Some lenders offer "no income verification" loans, though these are riskier and less common. Government-backed programs like FHA loans may allow lower down payments and relaxed income checks if supported by a co-signer or asset collateral.

Alternative financing options exist because traditional lenders require proof of steady income, but modern financial tools and regulations enable flexibility. For example, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) permits co-signers to bolster creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratios, as noted in the 2023 FHA Handbook. The Urban Institute’s 2022 study found that 30% of first-time buyers used non-traditional income documentation, such as gig work or investment returns, to secure mortgages. Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reports that 15% of conventional loans in 2021 involved co-signers, with approval rates rising by 22% when co-signers had high credit scores. Lenders also increasingly accept retirement account distributions or rental property income as viable alternatives, per Fannie Mae’s 2023 guidelines. These practices reflect evolving underwriting standards and the growing diversity of household financial structures in the U.S. market.