Home financing in Rockingham County.

Home financing — most commonly a mortgage — is a loan that lets you buy a home and pay it back over time, usually 15 to 30 years.

The home itself serves as collateral, meaning the lender can reclaim it if you stop making payments.

Your monthly payment covers the loan principal, interest, and typically property taxes and homeowner's insurance bundled together in an escrow account.

There are several common types of home loans:

• **Conventional loans** — offered by banks and credit unions, usually requiring a credit score of 620 or higher and a down payment of 3–20%.

• **FHA loans** — backed by the federal government, designed for buyers with lower credit scores or smaller down payments (as low as 3.5%). They require mortgage insurance.

• **VA loans** — for eligible military veterans and service members; no down payment required.

• **USDA loans** — for homes in eligible rural and suburban areas; Rockingham County has some USDA-eligible zones, particularly in its western and northern towns.

• **ITIN loans** — offered by select lenders for buyers who have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead of a Social Security number. More on this below.

Federal programs like FHA and USDA are useful tools, but you access them through local lenders — not directly through the government. That local intermediary layer is where this guide focuses.

Rockingham County is New Hampshire's most populous county, stretching from the Massachusetts border up through the Seacoast region. Its economy is a mix of technology and defense employers (BAE Systems, Allegiant Care), construction trades, hospitality and tourism along the coast, retail, and a significant self-employed and contractor workforce.

This economic profile means many residents have income that looks different on paper — seasonal work, 1099 contract income, cash-heavy trades, or mixed W-2 and self-employment earnings. That's normal here, and local lenders know it.

**General qualification factors lenders look at:**

- Credit score (most conventional loans want 620+; FHA accepts 580+ with 3.5% down)

- Debt-to-income ratio (your total monthly debt payments vs. your gross monthly income — lenders prefer under 43–45%)

- Stable income history — typically two years of tax returns or bank statements

- Down payment and reserves (money left in the bank after closing)

- Employment or self-employment history

**For solo contractors and self-employed buyers in Rockingham County:**

You'll need two years of filed federal tax returns (Schedule C or partnership returns). Lenders average your net income, not your gross. If you've been writing off a lot of expenses, your qualifying income may be lower than expected — talk to a tax professional before applying.

**For ITIN holders:**

You do not need a Social Security number to buy a home. Some lenders in New Hampshire work with buyers who have an ITIN. You'll typically need a larger down payment (10–20%), a strong payment history, and alternative credit documentation. See the local lenders section below.

Gathering your documents early makes the process smoother. Here's what most lenders in Rockingham County will ask for:

**For all applicants:**

- Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or consular ID)

- Social Security number OR Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

- Two years of federal tax returns (all pages)

- Two most recent W-2s or 1099s

- Two to three months of recent bank statements (all pages, all accounts)

- Two most recent pay stubs (if employed)

- Landlord contact information or 12 months of rent payment history

- Information on any other debts (car loans, student loans, credit cards)

**For self-employed or contract workers, also bring:**

- Two years of business tax returns (if you have an LLC or corporation)

- Year-to-date profit and loss statement (your accountant can prepare this)

- Business bank statements (2–3 months)

- Any contracts showing ongoing work

**For ITIN applicants, also bring:**

- ITIN letter from the IRS

- 12–24 months of bank statements as alternative income documentation

- Utility bills and rent payment history as alternative credit references

- Proof of any additional assets

Don't be discouraged if you don't have everything right away. A good housing counselor or local lender will help you figure out what you need and what alternatives exist.