If you’re self-employed and thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard this before: “You can’t get a mortgage if you’re self-employed.”

Let me be blunt—that’s simply not true. But unfortunately, that myth keeps a lot of business owners, freelancers, and independent contractors stuck renting… or applying at big banks only to get told “no.”

The real truth? Self-employed buyers absolutely can get a mortgage, you just need to prove your income a little differently. And you need to work with someone who understands how to help you do it.

Why Banks Make It Hard for Self-Employed Borrowers

Traditional lenders love cookie-cutter borrowers; people with W-2s, pay stubs, and perfectly predictable income.

But when you’re self-employed, things look different:

• Income fluctuates month to month
• Tax returns often show lower net income due to write-offs
• Business ownership can seem “risky” on paper

The problem? Many banks only look at the bottom line, not the full picture. That’s why self-employed buyers often get denied by lenders who don’t understand how to qualify them properly.

As a self-employed buyer, you’ll need to document your income just not always in the traditional way.

Option 1: Traditional Tax Return Verification

If your tax returns show strong, consistent income (after deductions), you can qualify just like a W-2 employee. You’ll typically need:

• 2 years of personal and business tax returns
• Year-to-date profit and loss (P&L) statement
• Business bank statements

Pro Tip: Some underwriters allow “add-backs” for certain deductions like depreciation or business mileage, boosting your qualifying income.

Option 2: Bank Statement Loans

For many self-employed buyers, tax returns don’t tell the full story, especially if you take legal write-offs to lower taxable income.

That’s where bank statement loans come in. These programs use 12–24 months of business or personal bank statements to calculate your real income.

• No tax returns required
• Ideal for gig workers, entrepreneurs, or influencers
• Often available with competitive rates and reasonable down payments

Option 3: Asset-Based Loans

If you have significant assets (savings, retirement, investments), you may qualify based on your liquid reserves rather than income alone.

Perfect for:

• Business owners who reinvest profits
• Retirees with large savings
• High-net-worth individuals with non-traditional income streams

Common Self-Employed Buyer Myths – Busted

Myth	Realty
You can’t get a mortgage if you’re self-employed	You can, you just need the right documentation and lender
You have to wait 2 years before applying	Some lenders accept 1 year of self-employment with strong history
You need to show massive profits	Lenders look at income stability, not just big numbers
Tax write-offs disqualify you	Bank statement or asset-based loans work around that

You Built Your Business, Now Let’s Get You a Home

Being self-employed means you work hard, take risks, and create your own success. It should not mean you get shut out of homeownership.

With the right approach, the right documentation, and the right broker (that’s where I come in), you can prove your income differently—and get the mortgage approval you deserve. Let’s map out your options together. Your business is unique, your mortgage plan should be too.