Self-Employed Mortgage Guides

Deep-dive guides on loan programs, qualifying income, and comparisons. Each one is designed to help you qualify for a home loan with confidence.

Popular Loan Programs

Strategy GuideBeginner

Insurance for the Self-Employed: Health, Disability, and Life Coverage Before You Buy a Home

A plain-English guide to the health, disability, and term life insurance self-employed buyers need to protect their income and become mortgage-ready before buying a home.

6 key takeaways

Strategy GuideIntermediate

LLC vs. S-Corp for the Self-Employed: The Tax-vs-Mortgage Trade-Off

An S-corp election can slash your self-employment tax — but it splits income into W-2 wages and K-1 distributions, which changes how a mortgage lender counts you. A worked example of the trade-off.

7 key takeaways

How-ToBeginner

Bookkeeping for the Self-Employed: Clean Books, Mortgage-Ready Income

A step-by-step bookkeeping system for self-employed people that doubles as mortgage-ready income documentation. Separate accounts, Schedule C categorization, clean P&L, and the right tools.

7 key takeaways

ComparisonBeginner

Business Bank Account for the Self-Employed: Best Picks for Mortgage Readiness

A clean business bank account turns your deposits into mortgage-ready income. We explain what underwriters look for, then compare Relay, Lili, Novo, Found, Bluevine, and Mercury.

7 key takeaways

ComparisonIntermediate

Self-Employed Mortgage Options: Bank-Statement vs. 1099 vs. Tax-Return vs. P&L vs. Asset-Depletion

A neutral comparison of the five self-employed mortgage paths — full-doc, bank-statement, 1099, P&L-only, and asset-depletion — with a framework to find the cheapest path you qualify for.

7 key takeaways

Mortgages for the Self-Employed, Demystified

Weekly tips on qualifying with bank statements, 1099 income, and non-QM loans. Free, no spam.