First Home Buyer With a spouse that has an ITIN

[Sean Kennedy]

Hey y'all, 

I am a first time home buyer in NC and planning to utilize an FHA. My question pertains to my wife who has not been granted citizenship or a green card in the US yet.

If I list her solely on the mortgage we can only get an ITIN mortgage according to the 3 lenders I've spoken too which would require 15-20% downpayment with a higher interest rate due to the assumed risk. 

Can I list my wife as a tenant under a lease agreement to utilize her income for the mortgage and pre approval? I haven't found any solid legal advice on doing such only that NC law allows immigrants to lease. I am no lawyer so some of the verbiage is confusing as well as to what a spouse can be listed as on the mortgage. 

Thank you all in advance!