Which component is essential for a lender to determine a buyer's creditworthiness?

A lender assesses a buyer's creditworthiness primarily through the evaluation of their employment history. This component is crucial as it reflects the buyer's ability to generate a consistent income, which directly impacts their capacity to repay a loan. A stable employment history typically indicates financial reliability and a lower risk of defaulting on the mortgage.

While factors such as property size, neighborhood quality, and home inspection reports are relevant to the overall real estate transaction and the value of the property being purchased, they do not directly inform the lender about the buyer's financial stability or repayment capacity. Therefore, the employment history stands out as the key element in the creditworthiness assessment process.