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Meeting traditional mortgage requirements is challenging enough for many borrowers. But these criteria can be even more difficult for those who don’t fit the conventional mold.
This includes self-employed individuals who, while otherwise financially sound, may not possess typical financial documents required for a mortgage application, including W-2s or pay stubs.
Bank statement loans can alleviate this issue.
These flexible financing options allow self-employed borrowers to verify income using bank statements rather than tax returns. This article will provide an overview of bank statement loans, their requirements, and their benefits and potential drawbacks.
A bank statement loan is a mortgage designed for self-employed individuals who may have difficulty getting approved for a conventional loan because of their non-traditional income reporting.
Typically, mortgage applicants use documents such as W-2s, pay stubs, or tax returns when applying for a home loan. However, these documents often don’t accurately reflect a self-employed individual’s actual earnings. Business write-offs and deductions typically come into play, which can skew income.
Instead, self-employed individuals can use personal or business bank statements to depict their average income.
As noted, lenders will review a self-employed person’s personal or business bank statements over a period of time to assess income, rather than using standard tax documents. Specifically, they will estimate monthly income by using a percentage of these deposits.
Example:
If your business averages roughly $20,000 per month in business deposits and the mortgage lender uses 60% of these deposits, your qualifying income would work out to be $12,000 per month.
Bank statement loans—also known as non-QM mortgages—offer a more flexible loan option for self-employed individuals who earn income in non-traditional ways.
If you’re a freelancer, gig worker, or independent contractor, you may have income that is:
If you fall under any of these categories, a bank statement loan may offer an alternative way to obtain financing, even if you meet the conventional income documentation model, despite earning a substantial income.
Bank statement loan requirements generally include the following:
As a self-employed individual, you must provide the lender with any of the following documents to verify your income and identity:
Bank statement mortgage loans offer key advantages, though there are a handful of potential downsides to consider.
Understanding these perks and drawbacks can help you better prepare for the application process while avoiding unpleasant surprises.
Yes, self-employed mortgage loans are available to first-time home buyers, as long as they meet the criteria for these specialized financing programs. In particular, self-employed first-time home buyers will need the past 12 to 24 months’ worth of business or personal bank statements to help lenders verify their income.
Generally speaking, your business should have been in operation for at least 24 months to qualify for a bank statement loan.
Digitally savvy mortgage companies, like Sammamish Mortgage, offer real-time mortgage rates online. With Sammamish Mortgage’s rate quote tool, individuals can quickly compare current rates and a detailed breakdown of estimated mortgage costs without the need to provide personal information.
You can lower closing costs by inquiring about discounts with your lender, negotiating with the seller, and comparison shopping for more affordable services such as inspections.
Some mortgage companies, like Sammamish Mortgage, aim to help borrowers keep costs low thanks to their $1 Lender Fee structure. This allows in-house mortgage advisors to focus on educating and helping borrowers find the right mortgage program for their particular situation.
Yes, mortgage companies like Sammamish Mortgage work with borrowers along the West Coast and the Pacific Northwest region.
In-house underwriting mortgage companies like Sammamish Mortgage handle the mortgage approval process internally instead of outsourcing it to third parties. This approach allows for more control, faster processing, and more customized service.
Sammamish Mortgage’s team of mortgage advisors are available 7 days a week to provide ongoing support throughout the mortgage approval process.
If you’re looking to buy a home as a self-employed individual in the Pacific Northwest region, we can help. At Sammamish Mortgage, we offer various mortgage options for those without traditional employment documentation in WA, OR, ID, CO, and CA. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or call us today to have your mortgage questions answered!
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.