Self Employed and Seeking a Mortgage? Ensure You’re Able to Pay

Published:
October 9, 2014
Last updated:
April 6, 2022
Post cover image
In This Article

Whether you’re a freelance web designer who spends their days working from a coffee shop or a small-business entrepreneur with a team of staff, if you’re a self-employed individual and you’re thinking about buying a new house you may face some difficulty getting approved for a mortgage.

In today’s blog post we’ll share how you can provide paperwork and other evidence to show your mortgage lender that you’re a quality applicant who has the ability to make their payments.

Have Your Accountant Prep Your Paperwork

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re in business you should invest in the services of an accountant to handle your tax preparation and other financial matters so that you don’t miss anything important.

If you have an accountant, let them know that you’re applying for a mortgage and ask them to create a package that includes your business financials as well as your past two years of income tax documents.

View Current Mortgage Rates

Watch Your Debt-to-income Ratio

Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the primary factors calculated during the mortgage application process and if you don’t have a regular paycheck or salary this is how your lender will assess your ability to pay.

In short, this number is the percentage of your monthly gross income that is used to pay debts, taxes, insurance, and other items. Add up your car payment, loan payments, credit card payments, child support and any other regular debts and divide this number from your monthly income. If this number is too high, your application may be declined.

Ensure You Have A Clean, Stable History

Your credit rating – and that of your business – will be intensely scrutinized by any potential lender in order to determine whether or not you present a significant risk of missing a payment or defaulting entirely.

Maintaining a positive credit history can be challenging as an entrepreneur, especially if you’re in the early stages of your business and you’re relying on loans or other financing to help fund your operations. Try to make sure that every bill is paid and avoid situations that can leave a blemish on your credit report.

Seek The Advice Of A Mortgage Professional

Even if you have your past taxes and clean credit history you may still face a bit of an uphill battle in getting that mortgage approved. It’s best to seek a mortgage professional’s advice as early on in the process as you can, as they work with self-employed individuals regularly and will be able to help you craft your application.

Get an Instant Mortgage Rate Quote Today

Have Questions About Mortgages?

Sammamish Mortgage is a local, family-owned company based in Bellevue, Washington. We have been in the industry since 1992 and have been offering a variety of mortgage programs to borrowers in all of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions.

Other Blogs You May Like
Average Credit Score in Washington State, 2024
February 16, 2024
5 min read
Average Credit Score in Washington State, 2024
Your credit score plays a key role in your ability to secure a mortgage. But what credit score do...
Best Mortgage Option for First-Time Home Buyers in Washington
February 13, 2024
4 min read
Best Mortgage Option for First-Time Home Buyers in Washington
Are you a first-time home buyer in Washington State? If so, you probably have a lot of questions...
Show 217 more posts
from this category

Connect with a Mortgage Advisor Today!

Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.

Compare Mortgage Rates in Your Area Instantly

No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.

Subscribe to our newsletter