According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of self-employed workers in the U.S. sits at approximately 16 million, and that number is steadily on the rise. When it comes to homeownership, there is a huge misconception amongst the self-employed and that is purchasing a home is next to impossible. Although securing a mortgage when you are self-employed poses its challenges, it is FAR from impossible. Being well-informed and prepared is key.
Self-employed borrowers actually undergo the same process when they are applying for a home loan as a W-2 borrower. However, when applying for a home loan, the self-employed should be prepared to invest more time and provide additional paperwork. "The requirements are a little more stringent with more documentation as lenders and banks want borrowers to demonstrate "income stability", says Richard Liu, a mortgage consultant with C2 Financial Corp. They should also be prepared to face possible income hurdles. So, what exactly does that mean?
Self-employed borrowers can often earn more than enough income to qualify for a home loan. However, they struggle with providing the required documentation to validate that income. According to experts, this is the biggest hurdle self-employed borrowers face when applying for a mortgage.
Since self-employed workers do not receive a W-2, lenders face the challenge of relying on tax returns to verify an applicant's income. This can create obstacles for several reasons:
1. Business owners take deductions and write-offs that they are legally entitled to which lower their taxable income; but, at the same time they need to show enough qualifying income to be eligible to secure a mortgage.
2. Tax returns for the self-employed can be complex. A lender must determine a number of factors such as the applicant's line of business, the type of business entity and how income flows from the applicant's business to their personal tax return.
Keep in mind, these are only obstacles and obstacles can be overcome!
According to Fannie Mae, "lenders will also consider the demand for your business, its location and financial strength, and whether it's capable of continuing to provide you with enough income to support a mortgage." This is true; but, simply put what a lender really wants to see from a self-employed borrower is:
Save yourself time by gathering any documentation you may need up front. When you're self-employed, be prepared to provide both business and personal financial documentation. You will likely need to provide your lender with:
Two years of personal tax returns (all pages)
Two years of business tax returns (all schedules and pages)
IRS Form 4506-T
Profit and loss statements
Business bank statements
Business verification, such as a DBA or "doing business as"
Business license
A list of your current debts and minimum monthly payments
Canceled checks for your current rent or mortgage
Any additional income or payments, such as Social Security or disability
Keep in mind that some lenders may require additional documentation.
Again, being prepared is key when applying for a mortgage as a self-employed borrower, so always plan ahead.
Establish a track record of self-employment work
Save as much as possible
Do not mix business expenses with personal expenses
Monitor your credit report/score and repay your debts on time
Utilize your accountant to provide an explanation of your business and its cash flow
Choose a lender who understands and knows how to calculate self-employment income
If you have questions about self-employment and how it effects the mortgage process, contact us today! Our team of mortgage professionals are available and happy to assist you.
ASK US ABOUT OUR BANK STATEMENT LOAN PROGRAM WHICH IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR SELF-EMPLOYED BORROWERS!
Very professional staff. We knew what was expected and required of us from the very first meeting. There were no surprises during this entire process. Everyone we worked with was professional, knowledgeable and extremely helpful!
These guys are great! Got the job done when others faltered. THANK YOU!!!
I was in a tight spot, and trying to close on my very first house in just 28 days. InterLinc did a great job talking me through the process, letting me know what they needed, keeping me informed of the status and any revisions needed, and processing everything to meet the deadline. They are fast, courteous, and I highly recommend them!
InterLinc Mortgage went above and beyond from the first time I submitted my information online. They called me back the day I submitted......on a Sunday! Wow! The home buying process was smooth and I was called AND emailed every step of the way. I can't say enough good things about ALL of the people at InterLinc!
InterLinc Mortgage Services, LLC was great to work with. From our initial contact until the day of closing they were very professional, kept us updated on every step of our mortgage loan process, and made our new home purchase a smooth process. I would recommend InterLinc to anyone looking for a mortgage company. Courteous, Caring, Professional.
Great with keeping you updated and always explained everything so that it was easy to understand. Always called back and kept me informed about any new details from start to finish.
Great service! Great team! Great communication! I am a first time buyer and I had no idea what I was getting myself into and this team made this process taste like cake!
My preferred lender to send my customers and clients to. They always go above and beyond and do what it takes to get it closed, often times ahead of schedule too!! Excellent follow up and they treat my customers like a person and not a number. Highly recommend!!
The whole process was smooth, even though my wife and I had never been through buying a house before. The team was easy to work with and made sure we knew what the next step was to get us through to the end.
The Best!!! Stress free!! Always kept in contact and provided me with the best service. Never doubted my ability to become a homeowner. Made sure I understood all the background information and broke down everything I needed to know about my mortgage. Best experience.
Approval went so smoothly with this company. I would recommend them highly. Great people to work with!! 5 stars definitely!!
The entire team is incredible and make all the process so simple. Thank you so much for your help.
InterLinc made our purchase of a new home not only an easy process but painless as well. The entire staff was there to support us each step of the way. I think the thing I liked best was that even though they do this day after day they understood that this is not something the rest of us do very often. I even had one of the staff member ensure me that she had my back. What a nice feeling.
Great people, Great service, I wish someone had told me about InterLinc sooner. They work with you step by step through the whole process. If something isn't right you will get a call. Have questions? They will be there to answer them.
There are many mortgage companies to work with, but hands down the InterLinc team should be your choice! Friendly and supportive!
First off let me say thank you for manner that you and your team of "PROFESSIONALS" handled this transaction. I have been in the Real Estate industry in Montgomery, AL for almost 30yrs. I have worked with several Real Estate companies, as well as owned my own firm. Over the years I have had every experience imaginable with lenders. Needless to say this is the first time that I have ever felt compelled to write to commend a company for the services rendered. The manner in which you "managed" this transaction, as well as the Client from start to finish was superb!
As I said you guys are a team of "PROFESSIONALS"... Which I believe is a word or title in today's society that is taken to lightly. Many may profess to be… but you guys OWN IT!!
How did you do? A+
Very efficient. Gave us help with things they did not have to in order for this to be smooth and easy for us! Would absolutely use them or recommend them!
The team at InterLinc is amazing! After relocating back to Texas we thought it would take several months to obtain a mortgage. We found a house we loved, applied for our loan and were closed, funded and moved in exactly 4 weeks after applying. The staff is honest, professional and hardworking. I am so grateful for their awesome work and highly recommend them for anyone looking for a mortgage loan.
This team was amazing! Not only did they get us the rate that we wanted, but closed us in 20 days!! Thank you so much!!
Great people, Great service, I wish someone had told me about InterLinc sooner. They work with you step by step through the whole process. If something isn't right you will get a call. Have questions? They will be there to answer them.
Great to work with! Made it easy for us and answered all our questions along the way. Wonderful experience. THANK YOU!
The service was outstanding. They were patient. Encouraging, and very knowledgeable. We can't thank them enough for helping make our dream of owning a home come true.
Approval went so smoothly with this company. I would recommend them highly. Great people to work with!! 5 stars definitely!!
The entire team is incredible and make all the process so simple. Thank you so much for your help.
InterLinc made our purchase of a new home not only an easy process but painless as well. The entire staff was there to support us each step of the way.
The ability to review and sign digitally, even on phone, was a great time saver!
There are many mortgage companies to work with, but hands down the InterLinc team should be your choice! Friendly and supportive!
The service was outstanding. They were patient. Encouraging, and very knowledgeable. We can't thank them enough for helping make our dream of owning a home come true.
