What does a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) do?

A Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) provides mortgage consulting during the divorce settlement process — before the decree is signed. This includes analyzing whether a spouse can afford to keep the marital home on a single income, structuring equity buyouts, and planning post-divorce mortgage qualification based on new income sources like alimony or child support.

Can I get a mortgage in Texas using alimony or child support income?

Yes. In Texas, alimony and child support can be counted as qualifying income for a mortgage if it has been received for at least 6 months and is documented to continue for at least 3 years after the loan closes. Timing the mortgage application properly relative to when support income begins is critical and should be planned before the divorce settlement is finalized.

What is a Fixed Indexed Annuity?

A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) is a retirement income product that provides growth potential linked to a market index without direct market risk, plus a guaranteed income stream that cannot be outlived. For women over 50 rebuilding their financial lives, it can serve as a personal pension — providing a guaranteed income floor regardless of market conditions or longevity.

What states does Elizabeth Rose serve?

Elizabeth Rose is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area and holds a mortgage license in Texas, serving clients statewide for home purchases, refinances, and divorce mortgage consulting. Her retirement planning and insurance services are available across multiple states throughout the United States.

Is it different buying a home after 50 versus in your 30s?

Significantly. When buying a home at midlife, you are not building from zero — you are protecting what you have built while stepping into what comes next. Income timelines are different. Retirement is closer. The margin for error feels smaller. Elizabeth Rose helps midlife buyers think beyond qualification to ask: how does this decision support my income, my retirement, and the life I am actually building?

Free Tool — Elizabeth Rose

Mortgage Clarity Calculator

Most calculators tell you what you qualify for. This one shows you what you should borrow — and the difference between those two numbers.

Income

Debts

Home Details

Your Results

Your Income

Enter your monthly gross income — before taxes. Include all sources that would appear on your loan application.

Primary Monthly Gross Income

Before taxes and deductions

Loan Term

Do you have additional income sources? Check all that apply:

Alimony / Spousal Support

Child Support

Social Security

Pension / Retirement Distributions

Rental Income

Part Time / Second Job

Self Employment Income

Other Income

Monthly Alimony / Spousal Support Amount

Must have 6+ month history and 3+ years remaining to qualify

Monthly Child Support Amount

Must have 6+ month history and 3+ years remaining to qualify

Monthly Social Security Amount

Monthly Pension / Distribution Amount

Monthly Rental Income (75% counted by lenders)

Monthly Part Time / Second Job Income

Typically requires 2-year history

Monthly Self Employment Net Income

Use average of last 2 years tax returns net income

Other Monthly Income

Monthly Debt Obligations

Enter the minimum monthly payments for items currently reporting on your credit. Do not include utilities, subscriptions, or cell phone — only credit-reported obligations.

Car Payment(s)

Student Loan Payment(s)

Use actual payment or 0.5-1% of balance if in deferment

Credit Card Minimum Payments

Total of all minimum payments — not balances

Personal Loan Payment(s)

Other Mortgage / Rent Payment

If this payment will continue after purchase

Other Installment Loans

Any other credit-reported monthly obligations

Home Details

Tell us about the home you are considering. If you are still exploring, use estimates — you can always run new numbers.

Purchase Price

Down Payment

FHA minimum 3.5% · Conventional minimum 3-5%

Estimated Interest Rate

Current rates vary — contact me for today’s rate

Monthly Property Taxes

Texas avg 1.6-2.2% annually — divide by 12

Monthly Homeowner’s Insurance

Monthly HOA Fees (if applicable)

Your Mortgage Clarity Results

Here are three scenarios based on the information you provided. The gap between what you qualify for and what you should borrow is where your financial future lives.

Scenario A

Maximum Approval

/ month

Loan amount: —

DTI ratio: —

Based on 45% DTI

This is the maximum a lender may approve. It does not mean you should borrow this much.

Recommended

Scenario B

Comfortable Payment

/ month

Loan amount: —

DTI ratio: —

Based on 36% DTI

This leaves room for savings, retirement contributions, and life. This is where I recommend most clients aim.

Scenario C

Retirement-Ready

/ month

Loan amount: —

DTI ratio: —

Based on 28% DTI

Built for your income transition into retirement. This payment stays manageable even as income shifts.

Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Picture

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the most important numbers in mortgage qualification. It compares your total monthly debt obligations — including your new mortgage payment — to your gross monthly income. The lower your DTI, the more financial flexibility you have.

Scenario A — Maximum Approval
45%

Scenario B — Comfortable Payment
36%

Scenario C — Retirement-Ready
28%

Save Your Results

Enter your name and email and we will send your three scenarios directly to your inbox — so you can reference them as you shop, compare, and plan.

Not sure which scenario fits your life?

These numbers are a starting point. The right mortgage decision depends on your income trajectory, your retirement timeline, your goals, and the life you are building. Let’s talk through it — no pressure, no rush.

Schedule a Clarity Call

No pressure. No rush. Just clarity.

This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute a loan approval, pre-qualification, or commitment to lend. Actual qualification depends on credit history, full income documentation, property type, and underwriting review. Results are based on simplified DTI calculations and do not account for all qualifying factors. Contact Elizabeth Rose for a complete mortgage analysis specific to your situation. Elizabeth Rose | Licensed Mortgage Professional | NMLS# 252686 | Texas

Preface

As a single mom to two little girls, I recall what it feels like to be alone, broke, and lost. To not have a clue how to make ends meet, much less get ahead. To live paycheck to paycheck with a scarcity mindset, wondering how I would provide for my kids.

The father of my girls, my first husband, and I were high school .

Preface

As ta single mom of two little girls, I recall what it feels like to be alone, broke, and lost. To not have a clue how to make ends meet, much less get ahead. To live paycheck to paycheck with a scarcity mindset, wondering how I would provide for my kids.

Mortgage Clarity Calculator

Your Income

Monthly Debt Obligations

Home Details

Your Mortgage Clarity Results

Maximum Approval

Comfortable Payment

Retirement-Ready

Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Picture

Save Your Results

Not sure which scenario fits your life?

Preface

The Book That Starts Where Most Financial Books Don't.