Self-employedmortgage loans.
Your tax return doesn’t define your ability to repay a mortgage. We offer flexible income documentation for business owners, contractors, freelancers, and high-earning professionals who don’t fit the conventional mold—and we shop multiple non-QM lenders to find your fit.
Conventional lenders
don’t speak your language
If you’re self-employed, you’ve likely worked hard to minimize taxable income—smart tax strategy, but tough for conventional mortgage qualification.
Your return shows a fraction of what your business actually generates after write-offs and depreciation.
Declined for how you’re paid—even after a decade in business.
While you—the business owner with strong cash flow and real assets—get turned down.
Income documentation
options explained
We match the documentation method to how you actually earn—not the other way around.
Use 12 or 24 months of personal or business bank statements to establish income—no tax returns or W-2s. Business statements apply an expense factor, which a CPA or tax-preparer letter can sometimes lower.
Qualify using your 1099s instead of Schedule C—built for independent contractors, commission earners, and freelancers whose gross income tells the real story.
Qualify using a P&L prepared by a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer, paired with a short run of recent bank statements.
Liquid assets—savings, brokerage, and retirement accounts—are converted into qualifying monthly income. Ideal for retirees and high-net-worth borrowers.
Qualify based on eligible assets rather than employment income, with options for borrowers between income sources.
Mix documentation types across borrowers—for example, your bank-statement income with a co-borrower’s W-2.
More than just
a primary residence
Non-QM programs aren’t limited to owner-occupied homes. Whether you’re buying a second home, growing an investment portfolio, or financing a condo that doesn’t meet agency guidelines, we have options most conventional lenders can’t offer.
Simple process.
No surprises.
We tell you up front what you’ll need and which lender fits best.
We review how you earn and identify the best documentation method—no credit pull needed.
Bank statements, 1099s, a P&L, or asset statements—we tell you exactly what’s needed.
Your file goes to multiple non-QM lenders, and you get a clear side-by-side comparison.
One point of contact guides you through underwriting to an on-time closing.
Self-Employed & Non-QM
Meet Jordan—
complex income, explained
Before founding Professor Lending, Jordan spent a decade inside the mortgage industry—including managing strategic accounts at a national mortgage insurer and helping launch non-agency lending products. He knows how non-QM lenders think and how they price.
Non-QM guidelines vary more from lender to lender than any other category. Jordan knows which lender fits which file, so you don’t get stuck with one lender’s box.
Common questions from
self-employed borrowers
For bank-statement, 1099-only, P&L, and asset-based programs, personal and business tax returns generally aren’t required. Each program has its own documentation—we’ll tell you exactly what yours needs.
Most programs look for about two years of self-employment in the same line of work, though requirements vary by lender. We also have a one-year self-employment option with select lenders.
Yes—a P&L-only option is available with select lenders for licensed businesses with 2+ years in operation. Other P&L programs pair the P&L with a short run of recent bank statements; we’ll match you to the right one.
Non-QM lenders are more flexible. Recent credit events like a bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale can be considered after 12 months with some programs (restrictions apply). And for primary residences, full-documentation options go down to a 500 credit score with select lenders.
Pricing is typically different from a conventional loan because the documentation is different—but it varies widely by lender, credit, and down payment. That’s exactly why we shop multiple non-QM lenders.
Often, yes. Many borrowers use non-QM to buy now and later refinance once their tax returns support conventional qualification.
No. We review your options with no credit pull and no obligation.
Your income is complex.
So is our expertise.
Free review. No credit pull. We’ll tell you which program fits.
Professor Lending LLC is a mortgage broker, not a lender or loan servicer. Company NMLS #2644699 (NMLS Consumer Access). All loans are subject to lender guidelines, credit approval, property eligibility, and underwriting; not all applicants will qualify. This page does not quote rates or loan terms and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability varies by state and lender and may change without notice. Professor Lending LLC is licensed as a mortgage broker in each state in which it originates loans; license information is available at NMLS Consumer Access. Equal Housing Opportunity.
*Tax returns are not required for bank-statement, 1099-only, P&L, and asset-based programs; other documentation is required. Non-QM loans are subject to lender-specific guidelines for credit, reserves, property type, and loan amount, and may carry different pricing than agency loans.