Best Mortgage Lenders for Self-Employed Mortgages in 2026

Getting a mortgage when you’re self‑employed is rarely straightforward, which is why so many borrowers search for the best mortgage lenders for self‑employed buyers and small business owners. Traditional lenders are still built around W‑2 income, predictable pay stubs, and tax returns that tell a clean story. If you’re a business owner, freelancer, consultant, or entrepreneur, your financial reality usually looks very different.

Most self‑employed borrowers use aggressive tax planning for good reason. Deductions lower taxable income, preserve cash, and help businesses grow. The problem is that those same deductions can make it look like you don’t earn enough on paper—even when your cash flow is strong. That disconnect is why so many self‑employed buyers hit roadblocks with banks and big online lenders.

The good news is that homeownership is absolutely possible for self‑employed borrowers looking for the right home loans for self‑employed income profiles. The key is working with a lender that understands non‑traditional income and has access to non‑QM loan programs like bank statement loans, asset‑based qualification, and alternative underwriting.

Below are the 8 best mortgage lenders for self‑employed home loans in 2026, including top options for self‑employed mortgage borrowers, small business owners, and 1099 earners. These lenders offer a mix of conventional and non‑QM options, but each has proven experience working with business owners. LendFriend Mortgage stands out as the #1 choice thanks to flexible investors, fast closings, competitive rates, and best‑in‑class service.

1. LendFriend Mortgage — Best Overall Lender for Self‑Employed Mortgages

LendFriend Mortgage is built specifically for borrowers who don’t fit neatly into traditional lending boxes. As a mortgage broker for self‑employed borrowers with access to dozens of wholesale investors, LendFriend can match business owners and entrepreneurs with the lender and program that best fits their financial profile—not force them into a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.

LendFriend Mortgage excels at structuring self-employed mortgages for business owners who maximize deductions or report uneven income year to year. Instead of relying on tax returns, they frequently use bank statement loans and P&L‑based programs that focus on real cash flow, business deposits, and operational strength. These approaches allow qualified borrowers to move forward without rewriting their tax strategy just to satisfy a lender—something traditional banks are rarely equipped to handle.

They’re also known for moving fast. Clean files routinely close in under three weeks, and expedited closings in as little as 10 business days are common when timing matters.

Pros

• Extensive conventional and non‑QM options including bank statement loans, P&L Loans, asset depletion loans and DSCR

• Very fast closing timelines compared to most self‑employed lenders

• Competitive pricing with low or zero points available

• Highly responsive customer service with hands‑on guidance

• Co-founders, Eric and Michael Bernstein, each bring over a decade of experience helping hundreds of self‑employed borrowers purchase homes using very low documentation requirements, often with no tax returns required

Cons

• Primarily digital experience with no walk‑in branches, which may not appeal to borrowers who prefer in‑person meetings or a traditional brick‑and‑mortar banking experience

• Uses a broker model, meaning loans are funded by partner investors rather than a single in‑house bank, which can feel unfamiliar to borrowers who have only worked with retail lenders

2. CrossCountry Mortgage — Nationwide Reach with Flexible Underwriting

CrossCountry Mortgage is one of the largest self‑employed mortgage lenders in the country, but size hasn’t stopped them from being flexible. They operate in all 50 states and offer a broad range of loan products that can work for self‑employed borrowers who fall just outside traditional guidelines.

CrossCountry is particularly helpful for borrowers with moderate credit challenges or borderline debt‑to‑income ratios. They also offer asset‑based qualification programs and manual underwriting for government loans, which can be critical for business owners with uneven income.

Pros

• Nationwide availability in all 50 states

• Flexible underwriting for credit, assets, and income

• Fast processing with streamlined digital tools

• Full range of conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans

Cons

• Rates may be higher for complex or non‑traditional scenarios

• Experience can vary by loan officer

• Limited true non‑QM programs compared to specialist lenders

3. First National Bank of America — High DTI and Portfolio Lending

First National Bank of America is a portfolio lender, meaning they keep many loans in‑house rather than selling them to investors. This allows them to make common‑sense underwriting decisions that most lenders won’t.

They are especially strong for self‑employed mortgage borrowers with high debt‑to‑income ratios, significant write‑offs, or unconventional income documentation. FNBA frequently approves DTIs up to 55–60 percent when the overall financial picture supports it.

Pros

• Will consider very high debt‑to‑income ratios

• Portfolio underwriting allows flexibility other lenders lack

• Accepts alternative documentation including ITIN programs

• Available nationwide

Cons

• Higher rates on non‑QM and portfolio products

• Larger down payment requirements in many cases

• Slower, documentation‑heavy process

4. New American Funding — Conventional Focus with Some Underwriting Flexibility

New American Funding blends modern technology with hands‑on underwriting. Their digital platform makes applications easier for busy entrepreneurs, while their underwriting team still evaluates complex income scenarios manually when needed.

They primarily focus on conventional and government‑backed loans, but their flexibility and willingness to manually underwrite makes them a solid option for self‑employed mortgage borrowers who are close to qualifying traditionally.

Pros

• Excellent online and mobile experience

• Manual underwriting available for complex files

• Full suite of conventional and government loans

• Nationwide lending footprint

Cons

• Limited non‑QM offerings compared to specialists

• Less flexible for borrowers with heavy tax write‑offs

• Rates can be higher for niche programs

5. Guild Mortgage — Broad Loan Menu with Fast Closing Options

Guild Mortgage offers one of the widest selections of home loans for self‑employed borrowers in the industry. They combine local branch support with a deep non‑QM menu that includes bank statement loans, DSCR programs, and interest‑only options.

Their Homebuyer Express program promises a 17‑day closing, which can be critical for self‑employed buyers working against contract deadlines.

Pros

• Wide variety of conventional and non‑QM loan options

• Fast closing guarantee on eligible loans

• Strong experience with complex income files

• Local branch presence in many markets

Cons

• Not available in New York

• Process can feel traditional and paperwork-heavy

• Rates can be higher than more broker-driven or non-QM-focused lenders

• Service quality can vary by branch

6. Angel Oak Loan Solutions — Non‑QM HELOCs and Second‑Lien Solutions

Angel Oak is widely recognized as a pioneer among non‑QM mortgage lenders, particularly when it comes to non‑QM HELOCs and second‑lien solutions for self‑employed borrowers. Rather than competing directly with first‑lien purchase lenders, Angel Oak stands out for helping self‑employed borrowers access home equity using bank statements or alternative documentation when traditional HELOCs are off the table.

They are often used by self‑employed borrowers who have meaningful equity but can’t qualify for a traditional bank HELOC due to write‑offs, variable income, or non‑W‑2 earnings.

Pros

• Industry‑leading bank statement and non‑QM programs

• Flexible credit requirements

• Investor‑friendly DSCR options

• Unique bank statement HELOC offerings

Cons

• Higher interest rates than conventional loans

• Limited state availability

• Not ideal for borrowers who qualify traditionally

7. Rocket Mortgage — Best for Highly Structured Borrowers With Tax Returns showing significant income

Rocket Mortgage is the largest retail mortgage lender in the country and one of the most recognizable mortgage lenders for self‑employed borrowers who qualify conventionally. Their platform is designed to handle straightforward loan files efficiently, making them a strong option for borrowers with clean documentation and predictable income.

For self‑employed borrowers, Rocket works best when income is simple, well‑documented, and close to conventional guidelines. Borrowers with minimal write‑offs, strong credit, and stable year‑over‑year earnings may find Rocket’s digital-first process appealing. However, Rocket is far less flexible when income requires interpretation or alternative documentation.

Pros

• Highly structured and predictable underwriting process

• Strong digital platform with fast preapprovals

• Competitive rates for borrowers who qualify conventionally

• Large servicing platform with brand familiarity

Cons

• Very limited non‑QM and bank statement options

• Rigid income documentation requirements for self‑employed borrowers

• Little flexibility for aggressive tax write‑offs or complex income

• Less personalized guidance compared to broker-based lenders

8. Carrington Mortgage Services — Second‑Chance Lending for Self‑Employed Borrowers

Carrington specializes in self‑employed mortgage borrowers who fall outside traditional credit and income standards. They offer bank statement loans, 1099 programs, and flexible underwriting for borrowers with recent credit challenges.

Carrington is often used when other lenders decline a file due to credit score or documentation concerns.

Pros

• Accepts low credit scores

• Flexible income documentation options

• Strong FHA and VA expertise

• Will consider recent credit events

Cons

• Higher interest rates

• Heavy documentation requirements

• Customer experience can vary

Final Thoughts

Self‑employed borrowers don’t need to give up on homeownership—they just need the right lender. The best mortgage lenders for self‑employed home loans in 2026 understand that tax returns don’t tell the full story for self‑employed mortgage borrowers and that cash flow, assets, and long‑term earning power matter.

For borrowers with aggressive tax strategies or complex finances, access to non‑QM lending is critical. This is where working with a broker like LendFriend Mortgage makes the biggest difference. When one lender says no, the right broker knows where to look next.

The path may be different, but the end result is the same: owning a home on terms that actually fit how you earn. Schedule a call with me today or get in touch with me by completing this quick form to discuss your self-employed mortgage options.