Self-employed & non-traditional income
Your income is real. The paperwork just looks different.
If you own a business, work on commission, or earn from investments, a W-2 lender can make you feel like a problem. You are not a problem. You just need the right programme.
If you're self-employed, you can qualify for a mortgage using bank statements, assets or rental income instead of relying on tax returns alone. These are fully documented, regulated loans that measure your income the way it actually arrives. I work with self-employed borrowers across Hawaiʻi, Nevada and California.
By Georg F. Thoma, Senior Loan Officer · NMLS 312260 · Updated
Three ways to qualify
Bank-statement loans
Qualify on 12 to 24 months of deposits instead of tax returns. Built for business owners who write a lot off.
Asset-based loans
Qualify on the strength of your savings and investments rather than monthly income.
Investor & DSCR loans
For rental property, qualify on the rent the property earns, not your personal income.
Common questions
Still stuck? Call Georg at (808) 357-9791
Can I get a mortgage if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Many self-employed borrowers qualify for a standard loan with two years of tax returns. If write-offs make your taxable income look low, a bank-statement or asset-based loan may fit better.
How does a bank-statement loan work?
Instead of tax returns, the lender uses 12 to 24 months of personal or business bank statements to work out your income. Pricing is usually a little higher than a standard loan, so I'll show you both to compare.
How long do I need to have been self-employed?
Usually two years, though some programmes accept less if you worked in the same field before going out on your own. Bring me your history and I'll tell you which ones apply.
What is an asset-based loan?
A loan that qualifies you on your savings and investments rather than on monthly income. It suits retirees and people with significant assets but irregular income.
Your loan officer
Georg Thoma
Senior Loan Officer · NMLS 312260 · Licensed in Hawaiʻi, Nevada & California · English & Deutsch
These are fully documented, regulated loans — not a workaround. They simply measure your income the way it actually arrives.