Real income doesn't always fit in a W-2.
Non-QM loans use alternative ways to document your ability to repay — bank statements, rental cash flow, or assets — built for self-employed borrowers, investors, and anyone whose finances don't fit the standard boxes.
Flexible documentation options
What is a Non-QM loan?
A Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) is a home loan that does not follow the standard underwriting guidelines used for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Instead of relying only on tax returns and W-2s, Non-QM programs can document your ability to repay in alternative ways — such as bank statement deposits, a property's rental cash flow, or liquid assets. That flexibility can serve self-employed borrowers, business owners, real estate investors, high-net-worth individuals, and borrowers with non-traditional income.
Alternative documentation: bank statements, rental cash flow, or assets instead of standard docs.
Built for self-employed borrowers, business owners, investors, and unique income profiles.
Can finance primary residences, second homes, and investment properties, by program.
Loan amounts may exceed conforming limits on some programs.
Typically requires stronger credit, larger down payments, and cash reserves.
Why borrowers choose Non-QM.
Flexibility where standard guidelines fall short. Program availability and terms vary by scenario.Flexible income verification
Qualify with 12 or 24 months of bank statements, rental cash flow, or asset-based methods instead of tax returns alone.
Built for the self-employed
Business write-offs can understate your real income on tax returns. Non-QM programs can look at the fuller picture.
Unique property flexibility
Options for investment properties, condos, and other scenarios that standard guidelines handle poorly.
Room to grow a portfolio
DSCR programs can qualify a loan on the property's rental income rather than your personal income, by program.
Types of Non-QM loans.
Different documentation paths for different financial lives. Your advisor helps you find the program that matches yours.
Bank Statement Loan
Qualify using 12 or 24 months of personal or business bank deposits instead of tax returns.
DSCR Loan
For investors: qualification is based on the property's rental income covering the payment, not your personal income.
Asset-Based Loan
For borrowers with significant liquid assets: eligible assets are converted into qualifying income.
ITIN Loan
A mortgage option for borrowers who file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead of an SSN.
What it takes to qualify.
Non-QM trades standard documentation for stronger compensating factors. Here is what programs typically look for.
Credit score
Typically 680 or above, with pricing that may improve for scores of 740 and above. Requirements vary by program.
Down payment
Typically at least 10–20%, and some programs may ask for more depending on documentation type and property.
Cash reserves
Commonly 6 to 12 months of the proposed mortgage payment, varying by program and scenario.
Documentation
Alternative documentation — bank statements, leases, or asset statements — must be complete and verifiable.
Loan-to-value
Lower loan-to-value ratios generally receive better terms; higher LTVs may be available with compensating factors.
Housing & employment history
A solid housing payment history and stable work or business history support approval.
How to apply for a Non-QM loan.
Specialized underwriting, guided by a team that does this every day. Closing timelines vary by loan and transaction.Talk through your profile
Tell us how you earn — business income, rentals, assets — and what you want to finance. Soft pull only to start.
Match to a program
Your advisor identifies the documentation path that presents your finances most accurately.
Gather your documents
Bank statements, leases, or asset statements — uploaded once through our secure portal.
Specialized underwriting
A team experienced in Non-QM reviews your file and keeps you posted in your dashboard.
Lock & close
Lock your rate, sign digitally, and close with your team handling the details.
Your income is real. Let's document it the right way.
No hard credit pull to explore your options. Tell us about your situation and we'll map the programs that fit.
Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know about non-qm loans.
Important rate & fee disclosures
- Non-QM programs use alternative documentation to verify ability to repay and are subject to program-specific requirements, which typically include down payments of 10–20% or more, credit scores of 680 or above, and 6–12 months of cash reserves; requirements vary by program and individual scenario. Program availability, rates, APRs, and terms vary by credit profile, documentation type, loan-to-value, and property type and are not guaranteed. Not a commitment to lend.