Can you be self-employed and get a house?
Mia Ramsey
Published Apr 11, 2026
Most mortgage lenders require at least two years of steady self-employment before you can qualify for a home loan. Lenders define “self-employed” as a borrower who has an ownership interest of 25% or more in a business, or one who is not a W-2 employee.
Is it hard to get a mortgage if you are self-employed?
Is it harder to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed? If you’re self-employed, it can be more of a challenge to get a mortgage because you’ll need to prove you have a reliable income. But getting a mortgage when self-employed is certainly not impossible.
How do I qualify for a self-employed home?
Self-Employed Mortgages
- Financial statements for your business.
- Proof that your HST and/or GST is paid in full.
- Contracts showing expected revenue for the coming years.
- Your personal and business credit scores.
- Proof that you are a principal owner in the business.
Are mortgage rates higher for self-employed?
A Bank Statement Loan Geared Toward the Self-employed Lenders usually require a higher down payment for a bank statement loan, regardless of your credit history. It also comes with a higher interest rate to match the perceived risk of lending to someone whose income is less stable.
Can a self employed person buy a house?
When you’re self-employed, buying a house can be more challenging than it is for people who have steady paychecks coming from an employer. Lenders tend to scrutinize loan applications for self-employed people more thoroughly.
How long do you have to be self employed to get a mortgage?
Two-year minimum for self-employment. The first consideration is the two year self-employment requirement. A lender will make sure that you’ve been in business in a self-employed capacity for at least two years.
What makes you a self employed person in the UK?
You’re probably self-employed if you: run your business for yourself and take responsibility for its success or failure Many of these also apply if you own a limited company but you’re not classed as self-employed by HMRC. Instead you’re both an owner and employee of your company.
What’s the average income of a self employed person?
Two-Year Self-Employed Average Income: When a lender reviews business income, they look at not just the most recent year, but a two year period. They calculate your income by adding it up and dividing by 24 (months). For example, say year one the business income is $80,000 and year two $83,000.