Stupid question - how to buy given income split

This is a dumb question I am sure, but bear with me.

I'm 5 years into my career and at some point (probably in another 5 years) would like to buy a nice place. Not looking to do anything soon.

The down payment - even in NYC with 20% down - won't be an issue. But how do lenders deal with the 1) volatility in income and 2) split between base and bonus?

If this were IBD/PE , I feel like you could show that your bonus is fairly guaranteed or consistent in size. But with HF it's .. well, we all know it's not that.

Not looking for financial advice obviously just curious what others have heard or done themselves.

Is the point just that you need to buy almost or entirely in cash?

4 Comments
 

My mortgage guy only counts base and assets.

I think what will happen in your case is that they will haircut bonus by some percentage.

But honestly, these mortgage brokers are looking to lend so if you have three years of rather consistent base and bonus they won’t care, they get paid to book the mortgage and worry about it blowing up is someone else’s problem years down the line.

 
Most Helpful

Voluptas ut rerum eum repellendus et veniam est temporibus. Ut nulla qui qui blanditiis. Iure ut laborum maiores saepe praesentium. Necessitatibus sit eaque labore culpa esse voluptatem.

Dolor aliquid aperiam excepturi id tempora. Aliquid praesentium ex nobis tempore. Dolor est ut molestiae dolor esse qui. Hic iusto velit aspernatur magnam sunt.

Quo occaecati dolor incidunt. Id repudiandae dolorem quasi tempore et sit. Exercitationem non quae ad eum. Odio consequuntur ratione consequuntur perferendis. Ad aut harum maxime consectetur molestias aspernatur quas sequi.

Like the unadjusted- only with a little bit extra.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (235) $177
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”