Self-employed loans

Being your own boss shouldn’t make buying a home harder. At Haven, we specialize in self-employed mortgage loans designed for real-world income – not outdated paperwork.

We help self-employed individuals qualify for homeownership with flexible loan solutions tailored to their unique income structure.

Check how much equity you can access
  • No credit check
  • No obligation

What are self-employed loans?

Self-employed loans recognize that success doesn’t always show up neatly on a W-2.

Instead of relying on traditional employment verification, these loan programs accept alternative ways to document income, which makes homeownership more accessible for freelancers, business owners, consultants, and independent contractors.

These programs were created specifically as mortgage solutions for self-employed individuals and small business owners who often fall through the cracks of traditional bank loans..

Depending on your situation, Haven offers flexible options, including:

  • Bank statement loansQualify based on 12–24 months of personal or business bank deposits, showing real cash flow without requiring tax returns.
  • 1099 income loansDesigned for independent contractors who receive 1099 forms instead of W-2s, simplifying income verification.
  • Profit and loss (P&L) loansWe offer a full range of manufactured home loan options under one roof. That means we can explore zero-down VA loans, USDA loans for rural buyers, flexible FHA programs, or conventional options that avoid insurance. We don’t steer you toward a single product – we help you find what actually fits.
  • Honest advice, affordable paymentsUse a CPA-prepared profit and loss statement to demonstrate your business income over the past year or two.
  • DSCR loansFor investment properties, these loans calculate eligibility based on the property’s rental income versus debts – a metric called the debt service coverage ratio – instead of personal income. This is especially useful for self employed borrowers expanding into rental properties or investment homes.

Remember

By offering smarter documentation options, we help self-employed borrowers move forward with financing that’s tailored to how they actually earn – not just how forms get filed.

Key benefits of self-employed loans

Getting approved for a mortgage when you’re self-employed can feel like climbing a mountain with the wrong map. Our self-employed loan solutions are designed to remove the guesswork and the unnecessary barriers.

Here’s how Haven helps self-employed borrowers move forward:

  • Flexible documentationBank statements, 1099s, or P&L statements – not just tax returns – offer a clearer view of how self-employed professionals actually earn and manage income.
  • Common-sense underwritingWe factor in your net income and your ability to make stable mortgage payments, not just your reported deductions. Moreover, we look at real cash flow, credit history, existing debt, and assets – not just the lowest line on your tax forms.
  • Higher approval ratesDefault Secondary Text
  • Customized loan optionsChoose between fixed rates, adjustable options, or shorter loan terms based on your financial goals.
  • Streamlined processSkip the paperwork runaround. Our process is designed for clarity, speed, and faster loan approval.
  • Opportunity to build or expandWhether it’s a first home, a larger space, or an investment property, we help self-employed clients take the next step confidently.

At Haven, we believe your success story shouldn’t be a stumbling block – it should be your foundation. This is especially helpful for self-employed individuals who have fluctuating income or unique expense structures.

Who should consider self-employed loans?

Self-employed loans are designed for self-employed professionals – from small business owners and consultants to freelancers and real estate investors. They’re for any independent contractor whose income may be strong but doesn’t fit into a traditional lender’s narrow checklist.

We help ensure your financial health and long-term goals are supported, even if you’ve been turned away by other financial institutions.

You might be a great candidate if you are:

  • A small business owner
  • A freelancer, consultant, or contractor
  • A gig economy worker or side-hustle entrepreneur
  • A real estate investor using rental income
  • Someone whose tax returns don’t reflect their true cash flow

Remember

If you’ve ever been told you make “too much” to qualify for assistance – but “not enough” to qualify for traditional loans – our self-employed options were made for you.

How our self-employed loan process works

At Haven, we believe the path to homeownership should be simple – even when your income isn’t. Here’s how we make it happen:

  • Quick online assessmentStart with a short questionnaire to understand your loan purpose, income sources, and goals – with no credit impact.
  • Document reviewDepending on your situation, we’ll guide you on what income documentation to submit – such as bank statements, 1099 forms, or a CPA-prepared P&L. You may also be asked for recent financial statements to help verify your income and cash reserves.
  • Custom loan structuringWe build a loan option around your cash flow, assets, and homeownership goals – not just your tax return.
  • Approval and loan disbursementOnce approved, your loan proceeds can often be disbursed faster than a traditional mortgage timeline – helping you move from application to loan approval without unnecessary delays.
  • Close and celebrateFinalize your loan, close on your home, and start your next chapter with confidence.

They worked with my unique situation when no one else would.

Verified Review, BBB

Why choose Haven for self-employed loans?

When traditional lenders say “no,” we look for smarter ways to say “yes.”

At Haven, we’ve built our self-employed loan programs around real-world success stories – not rigid formulas. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Experience working with self-employed borrowersWe understand the unique challenges – and opportunities – that come with non-traditional income. Our process is designed to meet self-employed individuals where they are, with solutions that reflect how they actually operate financially.
  • Flexible documentation optionsBank statements, 1099s, P&Ls, and in some cases, proof of business expenses, help us build a complete financial picture.
  • Common-sense underwritingWe look beyond surface numbers to see the strength of your business and cash flow.
  • Personalized guidanceFrom your first conversation to closing day, you’ll work with real people who are committed to finding solutions.
  • Faster, smarter approvalsOur streamlined process helps you move forward with clarity – and without unnecessary delays.

When you’re building your future, you deserve a lending partner that understands how you got here – and where you want to go next.

Other lenders turned me down, but they found a way.

Verified Review, BBB

Apply today for your self-employed loan

You’ve worked hard to build your business. Now it’s time to build your future.

At Haven, we believe homeownership should be within reach for every self-employed professional – without unnecessary hurdles or outdated rules.

If you’re ready for a smarter alternative to high-rate personal loans, then let’s explore what makes more sense for you.

FAQs about Self-employed loans

It’s possible – but options may be more limited. Most lenders prefer at least two years of self-employment history, but Haven looks at the full picture. If you have strong income, assets, and a good explanation (like switching industries with similar skills), we can often find flexible solutions.

Yes. While most programs prefer two years of self-employment history, a strong credit score can strengthen your application. Combined with stable income or savings reserves, it may help you qualify for certain self-employed loan options even if you’re newer to running your own business.

Depending on the loan type, you may be asked for:

  • 12–24 months of personal or business bank statements
  • 1099 forms from your clients
  • A CPA-prepared profit and loss (P&L) statement
  • Business licenses or entity documents (if applicable)


In some cases, business credit cards and other financial accounts may be reviewed as part of your application. Our job is to guide you to the simplest documentation path based on your situation.

Instead of using a simple paycheck stub, we calculate income based on:

  • Average monthly deposits from bank statements
  • Annual earnings from 1099 forms
  • Profit and loss statements showing business health


Other factors like your available down payment and asset reserves may also strengthen your loan file. Down payment size and reserves can also play a role in strengthening your overall loan file.

The goal is to reflect your real cash flow – not just your taxable income.

Not always. While some non-traditional documentation loans can carry slightly higher rates, Haven structures each loan to be as competitive as possible based on your overall financial profile. We focus on total loan costs – not just the headline rate.

There’s no single minimum credit score that determines eligibility at Haven. We look at your full financial picture, including income consistency, cash flow, assets, and down payment. In some cases, a stronger income profile or larger down payment can offset a lower credit score.

Yes. Irregular income is common for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and contractors. As long as we can demonstrate consistent income patterns over time, you may still qualify for a competitive mortgage option.