Colorado Divorce Decisions blog

Buying a house after divorce on one income in Denver: what lenders count and where help exists

You can buy on one income. Here is what the lender will count, what help exists in Colorado, and where to search without anyone knowing why.

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The short answer

Apply once the decree is entered. Lenders count wages plus support with six months of receipts (three for FHA on court-ordered support) and three years of continuance. A mortgage assigned to your ex in the decree can be excluded from your ratios. CHFA offers a grant up to $25,000 or 3 percent, and metroDPA up to 6 percent with no first-time rule and a $210,150 income limit. Every home for sale in Colorado is on kennarealestate.com.

The old loan on your credit

Excluded if the decree assigns it to your ex (Fannie Mae B3-6-05) or your ex has paid it for 12 documented months with no lates. Bring the decree.

First-time buyer again?

CHFA FirstStep requires no ownership in three years. Federal law says a displaced homemaker cannot be denied first-time status because she owned a home with her spouse; ask whether the program adopts it.

Rent or buy?

Rent if income or support is still settling or credit has a fresh late. Buy when the payment works at 43 percent of income or less with a repair reserve, and you plan to stay three years. At today’s rate every $100,000 borrowed is about $660 a month.

Buying after divorce, Mike Oswald at Rate for pre-approval, and the full MLS search.

Plain-language education from a Colorado real estate group, not legal, tax or financial advice. Numbers are as of September 2026. Disclaimer.

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Divorce Decisions™: Colorado divorce workshops and education. Real estate services provided by The Kenna Group at Keller Williams DTC. Not legal, tax, lending or financial advice.