Real Loans for People
the Box Doesn’t Fit
Self-employed. Paid in cash flow, not a W-2. An ITIN instead of a Social Security number. A credit event in the rearview. Non-QM loans exist because plenty of qualified buyers don’t fit the standard checklist — and we close these every month.
What Is a Non-QM Loan?
“Non-QM” means non-qualified mortgage — a loan that doesn’t follow the standard government checklist for documenting income. That’s it. It’s not subprime, and it’s not a workaround: these are fully underwritten loans that simply measure your ability to repay differently — through bank deposits, assets, or rental income instead of tax returns and pay stubs.
Who ends up here? Business owners whose tax returns understate their real income because they write things off (as they should). Contractors and gig workers paid on 1099s. Buyers with an ITIN. Retirees with plenty of assets but little “income.” Investors qualifying on a property’s rent. People a spreadsheet rejects and a human approves.
The honest trade-off: non-QM loans typically carry somewhat higher rates and larger down payments than conforming loans. For many buyers, that trade is what makes owning possible now instead of years from now — and refinancing into a conventional loan later is often part of the plan.
Which One Fits Your Situation?
Bank Statement Loans
Self-employed? Qualify on 12–24 months of bank deposits instead of tax returns. The most-used non-QM program, built for business owners.
Learn More →ITIN Loans
Buy a home with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead of a Social Security number — a real, established path to ownership.
Learn More →DSCR Loans
For investors: qualify on the property’s rent versus its payment — purchase, refinance, or cash-out, often with LLC vesting.
Investor Loans →Something Else?
1099 income, asset-based qualifying, a past credit event — there are more programs than pages. Tell us your situation and we’ll tell you what exists for it.
Ask Us →Common Misconceptions About Non-QM
Non-QM is just the new subprime.
Non-QM loans are fully underwritten — lenders verify your ability to repay, just through different documents. Down payments and reserves are real requirements, not loopholes.
Self-employed buyers need two years of perfect tax returns.
For a conforming loan, tax returns matter. But bank statement programs were built precisely because good businesses show low taxable income. Your deposits can tell the true story.
Once you’re in a non-QM loan, you’re stuck in it.
Many buyers use non-QM to buy now, then refinance into a conventional loan when their documentation or credit position changes. It’s a bridge, not a life sentence.
Non-QM Questions, Answered
Yes — these are regulated mortgage loans with verified ability to repay. What's different is the paperwork that proves it: bank statements, assets, or rental income instead of tax returns.
Typically somewhat higher than conforming loans, reflecting the different documentation — along with larger down payments. We'll show you the exact trade-off for your scenario next to any conforming option you qualify for.
It varies by program and profile — generally more than a conforming minimum. Tell us your situation and we'll give you the real number rather than a guess.
Often, yes. Buyers commonly refinance into conventional financing once their tax returns, credit, or equity position supports it — we'll map that path with you up front.
This page is general educational information and is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Non-QM programs have different rates, terms, down payment, and reserve requirements than conforming loans, guidelines vary by program and are subject to change, and not all applicants will qualify. All loans subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property qualification. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Told “No” Somewhere Else?
That usually means the wrong program, not the wrong borrower. Tell us your situation — we'll give you a straight answer about what exists for it.
