If you are an employee with a W-2, getting a mortgage is boring. You hand the bank a paystub, they look at the number in the bottom right corner, and they stamp "APPROVED."

If you are self-employed, getting a mortgage feels like a forensic audit.

You are the same person who runs a successful business, manages cash flow, and probably earns more than the average W-2 employee. But when you walk into a bank, they don't see "Entrepreneur." They see "Risk."

They look at your tax returns—where your accountant legally minimized your income to save on taxes—and suddenly, you "can't afford" the house you obviously can afford.

This is the Self-Employed Mortgage Paradox: The smart tax moves you make in April come back to haunt you when you buy a house in October.

But the game isn't rigged; it just has different rules. You need a lender who understands that Revenue ≠ Taxable Income.

We reviewed the top mortgage lenders in 2025 to find the ones that actually cater to business owners, freelancers, and 1099 contractors. Here is why LendingTree, Rocket Mortgage, and Chase are the three names you need to know.

1. LendingTree: The "Shop Around" Strategy

Best For: Borrowers who want to compare "Non-QM" and "Bank Statement" loans.

If you have aggressive tax write-offs (e.g., you made $150k but wrote off $100k for "expenses"), a traditional bank might reject you. You need a specialized product called a Bank Statement Loan or a Non-QM (Non-Qualified Mortgage) Loan.

These loans don't look at your tax returns. They simply look at the deposits in your business bank account to calculate your "real" income.

The problem? Most big banks don't offer them. You need niche lenders.

Why LendingTree Wins: LendingTree isn't a lender; it's a matchmaker. When you fill out their form and check the "Self-Employed" box, they blast your profile to hundreds of lenders, including the niche ones that specialize in 1099 borrowers.

  • The "Shotgun" Approach: Instead of calling ten banks and explaining your complex LLC structure ten times, you do it once.
  • Finding the Unicorns: LendingTree is the best way to find lenders like Angel Oak or New American Funding that specifically market "Bank Statement Loans" but don't have branches on every street corner.
  • Competition: When lenders know they are competing for your business, they often waive origination fees or lower their rates.

The Caveat: Be prepared for your phone to blow up. Once you hit "submit," you will get calls. But if you are struggling to get approved, that attention is exactly what you want.

2. Rocket Mortgage: The Speed & Tech King

Best For: Freelancers and Sole Proprietors who want a fast, digital approval.

If your tax returns are relatively straightforward (e.g., you are a freelancer or consultant with high margins), Rocket Mortgage is the gold standard for speed.

Why Rocket Wins: Rocket has invested billions in their "Rocket Logic" AI. For self-employed borrowers, this is a game-changer.

  • Automated Income Verification: Instead of faxing 100 pages of tax returns and waiting for a human underwriter to get confused, Rocket can link directly to your bank accounts and digital tax software. Their algorithms can often "read" your self-employment income faster and more accurately than a human.
  • The "Verified Approval": In a hot housing market, sellers are terrified of self-employed buyers. They worry your financing will fall through at the last minute. Rocket’s Verified Approval is a full underwrite of your credit and income before you make an offer. It essentially turns you into a cash buyer in the eyes of the seller.
  • Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Alignment: Rocket is massive, so they know the government guidelines inside and out. If there is a legal way to "add back" your depreciation or home office expenses to your income, their system will find it.

The Caveat: Rocket is primarily a "Conforming" lender. If you need a weird, off-the-books loan, they might steer you elsewhere. But for 90% of solopreneurs, they are the smoothest ride in town.

3. Chase Home Lending: The "Relationship" Play

Best For: Business owners who already bank with Chase (High Net Worth).

If you run a business with significant cash flow and you already use Chase for your business checking or credit cards, you have a massive advantage. Relationship Banking.

Why Chase Wins: Big banks like Chase have discretion. If a computer rejects you, a human Private Client Banker can sometimes override it if they see you have $500,000 sitting in business checking.

  • Relationship Pricing: Chase often offers rate discounts (e.g., 0.25% off) if you hold assets with them. Over a 30-year mortgage, that saves you tens of thousands of dollars.
  • Jumbo Loans: If you are buying a luxury home (over $766,550 in most areas), Chase is a powerhouse. They are comfortable lending large amounts to business owners because they can see your full financial picture, not just your tax return.
  • The Human Element: Sometimes, you just need to sit across a desk from someone and explain, "Yes, my tax return shows a loss, but that's because I bought three company trucks this year." A Chase Loan Officer can write a "Letter of Explanation" to the underwriter that saves your deal.

The Caveat: Chase is conservative. They like "A-Paper" borrowers with good credit. If your credit score is 580, stick with LendingTree.

The "Secret Menu" of Self-Employed Mortgages

To get approved with any of these lenders, you need to speak their language. Here are the three loan types you need to know about.

1. The "Add-Back" Conventional Loan

This is the standard loan (best rates). The trick is knowing what you can "add back" to your income. Lenders look at your Net Income, not your Gross. But they let you add back "paper losses."

  • Depreciation: If you deducted $20,000 for equipment depreciation, the lender adds that $20,000 back to your income.
  • Mileage: If you took a huge mileage deduction, lenders add a portion of that back.
  • Business Use of Home: That deduction gets added back too.
  • Result: You might look poor to the IRS, but rich to Rocket Mortgage.

2. The Bank Statement Loan

If your tax returns truly show zero income (because you are a tax wizard), ask LendingTree lenders for this.

  • How it works: You submit 12-24 months of business bank statements.
  • The Math: They take your total deposits (say, $200,000), assume a 50% expense ratio (so, $100,000 profit), and use that $100k as your income.
  • The Cost: Rates are usually 1-2% higher than standard loans, and you might need 10-20% down.

3. The Asset Depletion Loan

Do you have $1 million in Bitcoin or stocks, but no steady monthly income?

  • How it works: Lenders like Chase take your total liquid assets, divide them by a loan term (e.g., 240 months), and create a "phantom income."
  • Example: $1,000,000 portfolio ÷ 240 months = $4,166/month added to your income for qualification purposes.

Step-by-Step: How to Prep Your Application

If you want to get approved in 2025, do not just apply blindly. Follow this pre-game checklist.

Step 1: Separate Your Finances If you are paying for groceries out of your business account, stop. Lenders hate "commingling" funds. It makes you look like a hobbyist, not a business owner.

Step 2: The "Two-Year" Rule Most lenders require two years of self-employment history.

  • Exception: If you were a W-2 plumber for 10 years and just started your own plumbing LLC 1 year ago, Rocket or Chase might approve you with only one year of returns because you stayed in the same field.

Step 3: Talk to Your CPA Before Filing If you are planning to buy a house in 2026, tell your accountant now. You might need to "take the hit" this year—claiming fewer deductions and paying more taxes—just to show a higher Net Income on your return. It hurts in April, but it helps in October.

Final Verdict: Who Should You Choose?

  • The "Shopper": Use LendingTree. It is the only way to find niche "Bank Statement" lenders if you have aggressive tax write-offs.
  • The "Speed Demon": Use Rocket Mortgage. Their tech is unbeatable for turning a complicated 1099 profile into a Verified Approval letter that sellers respect.
  • The "High Roller": Use Chase. If you have significant assets or want a Jumbo Loan, their relationship discounts and human underwriting are worth the trip to the branch.

Being self-employed is the ultimate financial freedom. Don't let a mortgage application make you feel like a second-class citizen. You just need a lender who speaks "Entrepreneur."