Loans for Self-Employed Buyers

Self-employed buyers are judged mainly on tax returns, and write-offs that save you tax can lower the income a lender counts.

Options

• Conventional or FHA loans using two years of personal and business tax returns.
• Bank-statement loans that use 12–24 months of deposits instead of tax returns (usually higher rates and down payments).
• Asset-based loans for buyers with significant savings or investments.
• Seller financing.

Get Ready

• Two years of returns, year-to-date profit and loss, and business bank statements.
• Talk to a lender early — before tax season if you can, so you can plan write-offs around buying.