Can I get a mortgage if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Lenders have loans built for business owners, and many qualify you on the money you actually bring in, not just your tax returns.
By Rafie Sahial, MTG Wholesale ยท 2026-11-09
The short answer
Self-employed buyers get mortgages every day. If your tax returns show strong income, a regular conventional loan works well.
If write-offs make your taxable income look smaller than your real income, there are loans that look at your deposits or your business numbers instead.
Your options
Full documentation: two years of tax returns. A great fit when your returns show the income you need.
Bank statement loans: the lender reviews 12 or 24 months of personal or business bank statements and qualifies you on your deposits.
1099 loans: for contractors and commission earners paid on 1099s, qualifying on that income.
P&L loans: a profit and loss statement for your business, often prepared by your CPA.
Asset-based loans: if you have savings or investments, some lenders can qualify you on those assets.
Why shopping lenders matters
Every lender has its own rules for self-employed income: how many months of statements, how they count business deposits, and what they need from your CPA.
We shop your file with 130+ lenders, so we can match how you get paid with the lender that reads it best.
How to get ready
Pull together your last 12 to 24 months of bank statements, your recent tax returns, and a CPA letter or business license showing how long you've been in business.
Then start with one soft credit pull. It doesn't affect your score, and you'll see which loan types fit before you commit.
Good to know
How long do I need to be self-employed to get a mortgage?
Many lenders look for about two years in business. Some will consider less, especially if you worked in the same field before. We'll find the lenders that fit your history.
Can I use business bank statements?
Yes. Many bank statement lenders accept business statements, personal statements, or both.
Do bank statement loans work for investment properties?
Yes. Many lenders offer bank statement loans for primary homes, second homes and rentals. For rentals, a DSCR loan is another option that qualifies on the rent.