The Challenge: Why RSUs Don’t Always Help You Qualify
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are a powerful part of compensation at companies like SpaceX, often representing a significant portion of long-term earnings. But when it comes time to apply for a mortgage, RSUs can complicate the process.
Traditional lenders often won’t count RSUs toward qualifying income unless you’ve sold shares consistently for at least two years or unless you liquidate them upfront. That could mean triggering capital gains taxes and missing out on future growth. Worse, it may reduce your borrowing power and limit your ability to buy in competitive markets like the South Bay.
Our Solution: Use Your RSUs Without Selling
At Caskey Real Estate Group, we’ve partnered with mortgage professionals who understand how to work with RSU-based compensation. This means we can help clients:
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Use vested RSUs as part of their qualifying income, even if they haven’t sold any shares
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Avoid liquidating stock, preserving future equity, and preventing unwanted tax events
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Qualify for higher loan amounts based on their full compensation package, not just base salary or W‑2 income
These custom home financing strategies are built specifically for tech professionals at private companies like SpaceX, where liquidity events are uncertain and equity plays a key role in long-term earnings.
What Lenders Are Really Looking For
To make this strategy work, it’s important to understand what lenders need to see:
First, they’ll want a clear vesting history, typically showing at least one year of consistent RSU vesting (or two years, in the case of performance-based RSUs). This helps demonstrate reliability in your compensation.
Second, lenders require documentation that shows ongoing future RSU income: usually in the form of a vesting schedule that projects at least three more years of similar stock awards.
Next, they'll review your RSU award agreements, employment verification letters, and pay stubs to calculate the average income from RSUs. Some lenders use a conservative estimate of your stock’s value like the 52-week average, while also applying a discount (sometimes as much as 25%) to account for market volatility.
Finally, many underwriters will cap RSU income at around 35% of your total qualifying income, ensuring your mortgage approval is based on a balanced financial picture. It’s also important to note that RSUs used as qualifying income can’t be counted again as cash reserves: they serve one purpose in the underwriting process.
Why This Matters Now
In today's real estate market, buying power matters more than ever. The ability to use RSUs to qualify can make the difference between winning and losing a home in a multiple-offer situation. It also allows buyers to enter the market sooner without waiting for a stock sale or IPO.
For SpaceX employees and other equity-compensated professionals, this approach unlocks a smarter, faster path to homeownership. You keep your stock. You avoid early tax hits. And you position yourself to buy in a market that continues to appreciate.
What Sets Caskey Real Estate Group Apart
We’re not just here to show homes: we help you compete and win. At Caskey Real Estate Group, we combine:
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Deep local market knowledge
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Relationships with innovative lenders
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Customized strategies that incorporate your full financial story
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up to a larger property for your growing family, or investing in the South Bay lifestyle, we’ll guide you through every step from financing to offering strategy with confidence.
Let’s Build Your Plan
You’ve earned your RSUs. Let’s use them to your advantage.
Reach out to the Caskey Real Estate Group today for a no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you understand your options, partner with the right lender, and create a mortgage strategy that works with your equity, not against it.
Your stock has power. Let’s turn it into a home.
