Qualify using your employment — with less income documentation. A Written Verification of Employment (Fannie Mae Form 1005) documents salary or base pay instead of a traditional tax-return income calc.
The Written Verification of Employment (WVOE) program is a Non-QM path for eligible borrowers to document employment income without leaning on traditional income paperwork. Qualifying borrowers may use a completed Written Verification of Employment from their employer.
This is a strong option for W-2 employees with stable, long-term employment and straightforward salary or base-pay income — especially when a conventional tax-return file is heavier than it needs to be.
Guidelines vary by investor, credit, and loan amount. This overview is educational — every file is reviewed against current product rules.
How income is documented
Employer completes
Fannie Mae Form 1005
sent directly to / received from employer
+
VVOE within 10 days of closing
HR, Payroll, or a company officer must complete the form. Equifax / The Work Number may also be acceptable.
A Written Verification of Employment is completed by the borrower's employer and verifies employment and income. To qualify:
Borrower must have a 2-year employment history with the same employer.
The WVOE must be completed on Fannie Mae Form 1005 — not a generic employer letter.
The form must be sent directly to and received directly from the employer. HR, Payroll, or an officer of the company completes it.
An approved online verification provider, such as Equifax / The Work Number, may also be acceptable.
Employment with family members or related individuals is not eligible.
A Verbal Verification of Employment (VVOE) is required within 10 days of closing.
The program is designed for borrowers with straightforward employment income. If additional income is needed to qualify, this program may not be the right fit.
Eligible income
Qualifying income is salary and base pay from employment — the amount the employer verifies on Form 1005.
Cannot be used
Supplemental income sources are not permitted on this program.
If the Written Verification of Employment is completed by hand, one additional supporting document is required. An internet search of the employer is also required to document and support the existence of the business.
Start Your FileA recent paystub showing salary or base pay that supports the WVOE figures.
A W-2 that aligns with the employer named on Form 1005.
Returns may be used as the one supporting document when the WVOE is handwritten — they are not the primary income calc.
A statement showing payroll direct deposit from the same employer.
Stricter credit, housing-history, LTV, employment-history, and income-type rules than many traditional mortgage programs. Confirm exact numbers before you write an offer.
| Requirement | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | 680 FICO |
| Occupancy | Primary residence only |
| Purchase | Maximum 80% LTV |
| Rate/term refinance | Maximum 80% LTV |
| Cash-out refinance | Maximum 70% LTV |
| Housing history | 0x30 for previous 24 months |
| First-time homebuyer | Maximum 70% LTV and 45% DTI |
| Gift funds | Not allowed |
| Employment history | 2 years with the same employer |
| Eligible income | Salary / base pay only |
All loans subject to credit and property approval. Program guidelines vary by investor and change without notice.
Borrowers must have a 0x30 housing payment history for the most recent 24 months — no 30-day late housing payments.
Rent-free borrowers or borrowers who cannot document a full 24-month housing history are not eligible.
Who might benefit
This is not a "no income verification" mortgage. Employment and income are still verified. The difference is how the income is documented.
The program also has stricter credit, housing-history, LTV, employment-history, and income-type requirements than many traditional mortgage programs.
Exploring other Non-QM options?
No. Employment and income are still verified. The difference is how income is documented — through a Written Verification of Employment (Fannie Mae Form 1005) sent directly to and received from the employer, not a stack of traditional tax-return income calcs.
Human Resources, Payroll, or an officer of the company. Employment with family members or related individuals is not eligible. An approved online verification provider such as Equifax / The Work Number may also be acceptable.
Salary and base pay from employment only. Commission, rental income, and other supplemental sources cannot be used. If you need those dollars to qualify, another program is likely a better fit.
One supporting document: a paystub, W-2, tax returns, or a bank statement showing direct deposit. An internet search of the employer is also required to document that the business exists.
Yes, with tighter caps: maximum 70% LTV and 45% DTI. Gift funds are not allowed. Housing history must still be 0x30 for the most recent 24 months — rent-free borrowers who cannot document that history are not eligible.
If you have stable employment, consistent salary or base-pay income, good credit, and a strong housing payment history, a Written Verification of Employment loan could be another path to qualification. The 2 Mortgage Guys will review your situation and match WVOE — or another program — to your file.