How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Mortgage?
Your state’s age of majority is typically the minimum requirement
+2 more
Check your credit score
Get your personalized action plan and manage your credit with ease.
Getting a mortgage is a major financial milestone, but understanding age requirements is not always straightforward. This guide breaks down minimum and maximum age rules, international differences and what you need to know as a young or older applicant.
The legal age to get a mortgage is typically 18 to 21, based on your state’s majority age.
Jump to insightLenders rarely have maximum age limits, but financial eligibility varies based on age.
Jump to insightSome mortgage programs have unique age-related rules, but lenders cannot discriminate based on age alone after you reach majority age.
Jump to insightMinimum age for a mortgage: state and country requirements
An individual must legally be able to enter into a binding contract in order to secure a mortgage, and the specific age varies by state and country. This age, known as the age of majority, is at least 18 throughout the U.S. The age of majority in Alabama and Nebraska is 19, and it’s 21 in Mississippi.
There usually aren’t exceptions to this law. A minor can appear on a deed and legally own a home but usually can’t appear as a borrower or co-borrower on a mortgage. Even in cases where properties are held in trusts, the custodian will usually appear on the mortgage until the minor named in the trust reaches the age of majority.
Applying for a loan prior to reaching the age of majority will simply result in a declination. If the loan happens to go through underwriting without the lender noticing the issue, it can void the contract, and it will no longer be enforceable.
How lenders use age and finances to determine mortgage eligibility
While state laws in the U.S. dictate the minimum age to apply for a mortgage, federal laws exist to protect elderly consumers from age discrimination. Specifically, federal law states that lenders cannot use age as a basis of discrimination for individuals over the age of 62. However, lenders can use age to determine or approximate time to retirement, which could affect income eligibility.
Ultimately, age plays a minimal role in your mortgage eligibility for conventional mortgages once you reach the age of majority in your state, province or region. Instead, lenders will use the following to approve or deny your application, which can change with age:
- Income
- Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio (ideally below 36% for all debts)
- Work history (usually at least two years)
- Credit score (usually above 620 or above 580 for FHA loans)
- Down payment capability (minimum of 3.5%, but 20% is preferred)
Provided you’re no longer a legal minor in your area, this is good news for you, as it means you have some control over your eligibility. You may need to provide documentation for retirement income or future financial plans if you’re older than 62, but ultimately, you can improve your chances of getting a loan without age being a concern.
Age requirements for FHA, VA, conventional and reverse mortgages
Certain loan products are only available to individuals within specific age ranges, so age can play a part in some cases beyond the legal minimum age to get a mortgage. You can use the table below to get an idea of age minimums and maximums for different types of mortgages.
| Type of mortgage | Minimum age | Maximum age |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Age of majority (18 to 21, depending on location) | None (age may affect eligibility after 62) |
| First-time homebuyer | Age of majority (18 to 21, depending on location) | None (usually targeted at individuals under 35) |
| FHA | Age of majority (18 to 21, depending on location) | None (age may affect eligibility after 62) |
| VA | Age of majority (18 to 21, depending on location) | None (age may affect eligibility after 62) |
| USDA | Age of majority (18 to 21, depending on location) | None (age may affect eligibility after 62) |
| Reverse | 62 | None |
Keep in mind that eligibility may vary based on age outside of these ranges, but only as it pertains to income. If you’re reaching the age of retirement, ask your lender if you can use expected retirement income, like Social Security benefits or 401(k) payouts, as proof of income.
You should also note that these loan products may have different eligibility requirements beyond age. For example, FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5% and accept credit scores as low as 580, making them more suitable for younger buyers with less established savings and credit history.
VA and USDA loans also have less strict requirements, although they’re restricted to active-duty military members and veterans who meet specific criteria, and to borrowers purchasing in rural areas, respectively.
» CHECK OUT: Best cities for first-time homebuyers
Common age-related mortgage problems and solutions
In some cases, age might not make you ineligible for a mortgage, but it may play a more personal role in your ability to get a mortgage. Understanding the common hurdles for younger and older applicants can help you prepare more appropriately and maximize your chances of approval.
| Hurdles for younger borrowers | Hurdles for older borrowers |
|---|---|
| Limited time to establish savings for down payment | Time until retirement can complicate income eligibility |
| Less time to establish required work history | Retirement income demands additional proof of income |
| Higher chance of nontraditional income from freelancing or gig work | Higher chance of nontraditional income from investments that can complicate approval |
| Less time to establish good credit | Higher potential for high DTI due to investments |
| DTI concerns due to student loans | DTI concerns due to medical bills |
Whether it’s medical bills, established savings for a down payment or student loans complicating your mortgage eligibility, speaking with your lender and explaining your situation is your best option. Many lenders can and will make exceptions to general rules of thumb, like maximum DTI limits, proof of income, work history and more.
Remember that a denial from one lender isn’t a denial from all lenders. Each lender uses different criteria and can make unique exceptions to mortgage qualifications, so reach out to other lenders to submit applications.
If you believe your lender has denied your application due to age, especially if you’ve reached the age of majority in your area and are younger than 62, ask for a written explanation. Review your rights under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).
Finally, you can use the tips below to improve eligibility, regardless of your age:
- Build credit early with small loans and careful use of credit cards.
- Wait until you have a 20% down payment saved.
- Ask about special programs, like first-time homebuyer grants and reverse mortgages.
- Consult a financial planner to help ensure repayment capability if you’re taking on a mortgage in retirement.
- Consider adding a co-borrower to the mortgage.
- Wait until you’ve been continuously employed for two years before applying.
- Ask your lender about exceptions that could help improve eligibility, like using nonstandard income to qualify.
FAQ
Is there a maximum age limit for mortgage approval?
No, there is no maximum age limit for mortgage approval. In fact, there are federal protections in place that prevent lenders from disqualifying borrowers based solely on age after 62. However, age can play a role in eligibility if it affects your income or debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. For example, being 80 years old won’t prevent you from qualifying, but having limited income in retirement and a high DTI due to medical bills might.
How does age affect my chances of mortgage approval if I have low income or limited credit history?
Age isn’t a factor in mortgage approval unless you’re younger than the age of majority in your area and can’t legally enter into a contract, or you’re younger than 62 in the case of a reverse mortgage. Low income and limited credit history can affect your eligibility, and these are often issues for older and younger buyers, respectively. However, age by itself won’t affect your eligibility.
Can retirees or people near retirement get approved for new mortgages?
Yes, people near retirement and those in retirement can get approved for mortgages. Many people have a much lower income in retirement, though, which can affect eligibility. Additionally, you will need additional proof of income for all forms of retirement income to qualify, including 401(k) payouts, Social Security benefits, pensions and any other nonstandard sources of income.
Are there special programs for first-time homebuyers based on age?
Many lenders have special programs for first-time homebuyers that are targeted at individuals between the ages of 18 and 35, but they legally cannot exclude applicants who meet all other requirements and are over the program’s target age. Age discrimination in lending is prohibited and is strictly enforced by the federal government.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- US Law Explained, “Age of Majority in the U.S.: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Legal Adult.” Accessed Nov. 17, 2025.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “Is a lender allowed to consider my age or where my income comes from when deciding whether to give me a loan?” Accessed Nov. 17, 2025.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, “How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?” Accessed Nov. 17, 2025.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “FHA loans.” Accessed Nov. 26, 2025.
