RMD's as Qualifying Income

[Ryan H.]

Hello, I'm beginning to explore purchasing my first property with loan financing. I do not have much employment income, but I do receive Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) income from an inherited IRA account (from a non-spouse) that could help me qualify me for a higher loan amount. However, the first lender I've met with said that this cannot be considered income for the purposes of the loan (she says that I would need to be retirement age). My financial advisor questions whether this is correct since it is an inherited IRA.

What are others' understanding about this?  If what the lender says is true, is it true as a universal rule or particular to the credit union?