07/14/2026
🏡 Your tax return doesn’t always tell the full story.
I talk to business owners and self-employed borrowers all the time who assume they can’t qualify to buy a home because their CPA did a great job minimizing their taxable income.
And let’s be honest… great for taxes, not always great for a traditional mortgage application. 😅
But here’s what many people don’t realize 👇
✨ Some loan programs may allow qualified self-employed borrowers to use bank statements instead of tax returns to document income.
We recently worked with a client who did freelance work and received multiple 1099s. Based on their tax returns and write-offs, their qualifying income came out to around $8,000 per month.
Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to qualify for the home they wanted.
So we took another look at their financial picture and utilized 12 months of business bank statements. Their average monthly deposits were around $18,000 per month… and just like that, the house shopping commenced! 🏠🔑🙌
If you're a:
✔️ Business owner
✔️ Freelancer
✔️ Independent contractor
✔️ 1099 earner
Don't count yourself out before talking with a mortgage professional.
At Highlands Residential Mortgage, we help borrowers explore financing options that fit their actual financial picture—because not every borrower fits neatly into the same box.
Been told no? Or just not sure where you stand?
📲 Let's have a conversation. You may have more options than you think!
