A good fit
You have steady household income
Your credit score is 500 or above
You've saved, or can save, your starting amount
You want to own within 2 to 3 years
Not (yet) a fit
You already qualify for a mortgage
Your income isn't steady yet
You haven't started saving
You're looking to rent long term, not own
Numbers that matter
We review every applicant individually and focus on the following key numbers:
Starting Credit score
500+
This is the entry threshold to begin the program. We then work with you throughout the term to reach a higher score required for mortgage qualification at exit.
Household Income
$100,000 +
Minimum combined annual household income, with consistent documentation. We look at stability over time — not just the headline number.
Personal Savings Contribution
$20,000 +
Or 5% of your home's purchase price, whichever is greater. Must come from your own savings — not gifted, not borrowed. Documented at our discovery call.
Readiness Check
Where am I starting from?
What we look for beyond the numbers
In addition to the numbers above, we also take into consideration your intent, stability, and how you'll engage with the program.
Genuine intent to own
You actually want to own a home, not to just rent indefinitely. The program is designed for people moving toward a very clear goal of home ownership.
Willingness to engage in coaching
Monthly financial coaching isn't optional; it's the engine that leads towards a successful outcome. Families who succeed treat it as part of the agreement.
Stable life circumstances
Your work situation will enable you to be stable in one home for at least the 2-3 years while you're in our program.
Open to sharing financial data
To become accepted, you'll need to share income records, bank statements, and credit history. These are critical to assess your fit, and to build a customized credit and savings-building program.
Independent legal counsel
We strongly encourage you obtain your own legal counsel before signing any documents. This ensures you are clear on all terms, and reinforces our transparency.
Honest, transparent communication
We expect that you are fully transparent in your application, including past challenges. We help families overcome real situations; we cannot help with concealed ones.
Start Your Journey
Ready to see if Upstream is right for your family?
