Income note: Base + overtime. Many firefighters work significant OT — 2-year history required.
Key challenge: Schedule (24-on, 48-off) means many firefighters work second jobs. Combined income can be counted with 2-year history.
Your advantage: VA loans available for many firefighters with military background. Good Neighbor Next Door program also applies. Strong union backing for housing programs.
On a $78,000 annual salary, your gross monthly income is $6,500. The safe housing threshold (28% front-end DTI) gives you a max monthly payment of $1,820. Raleigh's median home payment is $2,688/month — leaving you $348/month over budget.
Renting in Raleigh costs roughly $1,520/month for a 1BR. Buying at 36% DTI would require your maximum affordable price of $362,359 — below the city median.
Ask Zai with your actual salary, overtime, and credit score.
🏦 Ask Zai Free → 🔔 Set Alert 🔍 Decode DenialNot financial advice. Median salary data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics. Mortgage calculations at 6.7%, 20% down, 30-year fixed. Actual qualification varies by lender, credit score, and existing debt.