Get Expert Financing
- Matched with investor-friendly lenders
- Fast pre-approvals-no W2s required
- Financing options fro rentals, BRRRR, STRs
- Scale your portfolio with confidence
Self-employed high-income borrowers often face unique challenges when seeking mortgage financing, even in 2025. Fortunately, several lenders cater specifically to this demographic, offering innovative products that accommodate irregular income streams, complex financials, and significant tax write-offs. This guide will explore the top lenders and loan options for high-earning entrepreneurs, business owners, and independent contractors.
Why Self-Employed Borrowers Face Financing Challenges
Self-employed individuals often encounter hurdles when applying for conventional mortgages due to their non-traditional income profiles. This can include fluctuating monthly cash flow, heavy business expenses, and tax deductions that reduce taxable income, making it difficult to meet traditional debt-to-income (DTI) ratio requirements. In response, lenders have developed specialized products that prioritize cash flow, asset strength, and overall financial stability over conventional W-2 documentation.
Best Loan Options for High-Income Self-Employed Borrowers
1. Bank Statement Loans
Bank statement loans are a popular choice for self-employed borrowers who cannot fully document their income using tax returns. Instead, these loans rely on 12 to 24 months of bank statements to verify income, offering flexibility for those with significant business write-offs or variable monthly revenue.
Key Features:
- Use personal or business bank statements to document income
- No W-2s or tax returns required
- Higher maximum loan amounts for high-net-worth borrowers
👉 Learn more about bank statement loans
2. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Loans
For self-employed real estate investors, DSCR loans are an attractive option. These loans qualify borrowers based on the cash flow generated by their investment properties, rather than personal income, making them ideal for those with multiple rentals or complex financial structures.
Key Features:
- No personal income verification required
- Qualify based on property cash flow
- Higher loan amounts and flexible terms
3. Asset Depletion Loans
Asset depletion loans are perfect for high-net-worth borrowers who prefer to qualify based on their liquid assets rather than regular monthly income. These loans convert a portion of a borrower’s assets into qualifying income, making them ideal for retirees, investors, or entrepreneurs with significant savings.
Key Features:
- Use liquid assets like savings, investment accounts, or retirement funds
- No need for tax returns or regular income verification
- Often available with competitive interest rates
👉 See if an asset depletion loan is right for you
Major Lenders for Self-Employed Borrowers
Several lenders have become leaders in this space, offering a wide variety of non-QM (Non-Qualified Mortgage) products for self-employed, high-income borrowers:
- Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions: Known for bank statement, DSCR, and asset-based loans.
- Citadel Servicing Corporation: Offers flexible, non-QM products with competitive rates.
- LendSure: Specializes in non-QM products like DSCR and bank statement loans.
- Deephaven Mortgage: Pioneers in the non-QM space, offering a range of flexible options.
- First National Bank of America: Known for its bank statement and asset-based programs.
FAQs
What is a non-QM loan?
Non-QM loans are mortgages that do not fit the traditional Qualified Mortgage (QM) guidelines, often used by self-employed or unconventional borrowers. They typically feature more flexible underwriting requirements, such as alternative income verification methods.
What is a DSCR loan, and who qualifies for one?
A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan is based on the cash flow of an investment property rather than the borrower’s personal income, making it ideal for real estate investors.
How do bank statement loans work?
These loans use bank deposits over a set period to verify income, making them ideal for self-employed borrowers with significant business write-offs.
Read Next
- Understanding Non-QM Loans
- Best Loans for Real Estate Investors
- Top Bank Statement Loan Lenders in 2025
Ready to find the right lender? Get started today and discover the best loan options for your unique financial situation.
Get Expert Financing
- Matched with investor-friendly lenders
- Fast pre-approvals-no W2s required
- Financing options fro rentals, BRRRR, STRs
- Scale your portfolio with confidence
Our advice is based on experience in the mortgage industry and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of owning a home. We may receive compensation from partner banks when you view mortgage rates listed on our website.
