Self-Employed? Qualify for Your Mortgage with Bank Statements—Not Tax Returns
If you're a business owner, freelancer, or real estate investor, your tax write-offs shouldn't block you from buying a home or investment property. Use your bank statements to qualify with competitive rates, fast approvals, and flexible underwriting.
Nationally Licensed Broker • Equal Housing Lender
"Your Business Is Thriving—But Your Tax Returns Don't Show It"
If you're self-employed, you've probably heard something like:
"You don't show enough income to qualify."
You reinvest in your business. You use legal write-offs. You manage cash flow strategically. All of that is smart from a tax perspective—but it can make you look "poor on paper."
Common frustrations:
- Your tax returns show very little income after write-offs
- A traditional bank can't make sense of your business deposits and transfers
- You're told you need two more years of "clean" tax returns before you can qualify
- You feel penalized for doing exactly what good business owners are advised to do
Meanwhile, you're:
- •Watching home prices and rents rise
- •Missing out on homes or investment properties you could comfortably afford
- •Getting stuck in an endless loop of "maybe later"
You shouldn't have to rebuild your entire tax strategy just to buy or refinance a property.
Bank Statement Non-QM Loans: A Mortgage That Understands Self-Employed Income
A Bank Statement Loan is a type of Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) that uses your bank statements—not tax returns—as the primary way to calculate your income.
We look at your actual deposits and cash flow over time, so your approval reflects how your business really performs.
Competitive rates for qualified self-employed borrowers
Fast approvals once bank statements are reviewed and analyzed
Flexible underwriting that understands business income
Up to 100% gift funds allowed for down payment and, in many cases, closing costs
Prefer to talk it through first? Schedule a 1:1 Consultation
What Is a Bank Statement Loan (in Plain English)?
A Bank Statement Loan allows you to qualify for a mortgage using 12–24 months of your bank statements instead of tax returns or W-2s.
We review the deposits into your accounts to understand your income pattern, then use that to determine how much home you can afford.
Who it's ideal for:
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Freelancers and independent contractors
- Gig workers and consultants
- Real estate professionals (agents, flippers, wholesalers)
- Investors with strong rental or business-related deposits
How We Use Your Bank Statements
Depending on your situation, we can use:
- •Personal bank statements
- •Business bank statements
- •Or a combination, if that shows a clearer picture
In simple terms, we:
- 1.Review 12–24 months of statements
- 2.Identify and average your eligible deposits
- 3.Apply a reasonable expense factor (for business accounts)
- 4.Use that resulting income to qualify you for the loan
No need to explain every line item from your tax return.
No need to "fix" two years of filings just to buy a home.
Bank Statement Loan Highlights
- Finance primary homes, second homes, and investment properties
- Borrow up to competitive loan limits (varies by scenario)
- Use business or personal deposits as your qualifying income
- Competitive rates based on your overall profile (credit, LTV, reserves, etc.)
- Options with interest-only features (where available and suitable)
- Up to 100% gift funds allowed for down payment and, in many cases, closing costs
Why Use Bank Statements to Qualify (and Why Work with Us)
You're not a W-2 employee—and that's a strength, not a weakness.
We've built our process around understanding how self-employed income really works.
Competitive Rates for Strong Files
Just because this is a Non-QM loan doesn't mean your rate has to be extreme. We shop multiple lenders as a nationally licensed broker to help you access competitive rates tailored to your credit score, down payment, property type and use, and bank statement history.
You get real options—not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Fast Approvals So You Can Move When Opportunity Knocks
In real estate, timing matters. Once your bank statements and basic info are in, we move quickly:
- •Clear checklist from day one
- •Direct analysis of your bank statements
- •Many clients see a credit decision in as little as 24–48 hours after submitting a complete file
No endless back-and-forth, no guessing what the underwriter wants.
Flexible Underwriting Built for Self-Employed Income
Traditional underwriting assumes a single employer and a simple paycheck. That's not you.
Our Bank Statement programs can accommodate:
- •Multiple income streams
- •Irregular or seasonal deposits
- •Legitimate business write-offs
- •Complex business structures
We focus on your overall strength, not just what's on line 37 of your tax return.
Up to 100% Gift Funds Allowed
Family or partners willing to help with funds? Many of our Bank Statement programs allow up to 100% of your down payment—and in some cases closing costs—to come from gift funds, subject to program guidelines.
That means you can:
- •Preserve cash for your business
- •Invest in marketing, inventory, or other growth
- •Still move forward on a home or investment property sooner
Simple 5-Step Path from Bank Statements to Keys
We keep it as straightforward as possible—no jargon, no surprises.
Quick Scenario Review (5–10 Minutes)
We ask a few key questions:
- •Are you buying, refinancing, or investing?
- •Approximate purchase price or loan amount you're targeting
- •Whether you'll use personal or business bank statements (or both)
- •How many months of statements you can provide (usually 12–24)
Custom Plan & Estimate
Based on your answers, we:
- •Confirm if a Bank Statement Loan is a good fit
- •Give you an estimated price range and payment range
- •Explain exactly how we'll calculate your income from deposits
No confusing spreadsheets—just clear, plain-English numbers.
Secure Document Upload
You'll upload:
- •12–24 months of bank statements (PDF or e-statements)
- •Basic ID and property info
- •Any additional items specific to your scenario
We analyze your deposits, apply the appropriate expense factor, and determine your qualifying income.
Fast Underwriting & Pre-Approval
Once we've reviewed your bank statements:
- •We structure your loan scenario with competitive rates
- •Submit to our Non-QM lending partners
- •Work to get you a fast credit decision—often within 24–48 hours of a complete file
You'll receive a pre-approval letter you can use to shop with confidence.
Lock It In & Close
As you move forward on a property:
- •We finalize your terms
- •Coordinate appraisal, title, and closing
- •Keep you informed at every step—no radio silence
Our goal: a smooth, predictable closing that respects your time and your business.
Guidelines and market conditions can change over time. Getting pre-approved now helps you move quickly when the right property appears.
Self-Employed Clients Who Used Bank Statements and Won
"Three different banks told me I didn't show enough income because of my write-offs. With the Bank Statement Loan, they looked at my deposits instead. I was pre-approved in days and closed on my home in about a month."
— J., Marketing Agency Owner
"My income is up and down throughout the year, but my average cash flow is strong. Using business bank statements made it easy to finally buy instead of rent."
— L., Real Estate Agent
"I didn't want to undo years of tax planning just to qualify. The Bank Statement program let me keep my structure and still buy our family home."
— K., Contractor
*Testimonials are illustrative examples of typical client experiences. Actual approvals and results will vary based on credit, income, assets, and program guidelines.
Nationally Licensed Broker • Equal Housing Lender
Frequently Asked Questions About Bank Statement Loans
What exactly is a Bank Statement Loan?
It's a type of Non-QM mortgage that uses your bank statements instead of tax returns to calculate income. We review your deposits over 12–24 months to determine a realistic average income, then use that to approve you for a home or investment property.
How many months of bank statements do I need?
Most programs require 12 or 24 months of consecutive bank statements. We'll help you choose the option that gives you the strongest presentation of your income.
Do I have to use business accounts, or can I use personal accounts?
You can often use personal, business, or a combination—whichever more accurately reflects your income. For business statements, we'll apply a reasonable expense factor to account for costs of running the business.
Are rates much higher than a regular mortgage?
Rates on Bank Statement Loans can be slightly higher than some traditional loans, but for strong borrowers, they are often very competitive. You're paying for flexibility and a realistic way to document your income—and many clients find the trade-off well worth it.
Do I need perfect credit to qualify?
Not necessarily. Minimum credit score requirements vary by program, but many options are available for borrowers with good, but not perfect, credit. Better credit usually leads to better pricing, and we'll show you where you stand.
Can I use gift funds for my down payment?
Yes, many of our Bank Statement programs allow up to 100% gift funds for your down payment and in some cases closing costs, subject to program guidelines. We'll guide you on how to document the gift properly.
Is this only for primary residences?
No. Bank Statement Loans can be used for primary homes, second homes, and investment properties, depending on the specific program and your qualifications.
Will I have to change how I file my taxes?
In many cases, no. That's one of the main advantages: you can often qualify without changing your tax strategy, because we're using your bank statements instead of your tax returns to document income.
Ready to Let Your Bank Statements Work for You?
You've worked hard to build your business and your income streams.
Don't let traditional tax-return rules hold you back from the home or property you want.
Secure online form • No obligation • Fast answers once your bank statements are reviewed
Schedule a 1:1 Consultation with a Bank Statement Loan Specialist