What is a Bank Statement Mortgage?
Updated: Dec 2, 2023
What is a bank statement mortgage? is a question many aspiring homeowners ask as they navigate the intricate world of property financing. This type of mortgage offers an alternative path to traditional loans, vital for self employed borrowers who might not have proof of income.
This blog post will explain bank statement mortgages. We will give you a clear guide to understanding and using this unique home loan option
Key Takeaways
✅ Alternative for Self-Employed: Bank statement mortgages are an ideal solution for self-employed individuals and freelancers, offering a unique approach to income verification through bank statements rather than traditional methods like tax returns.
✅ Ease of Qualification: These mortgages are generally easier to qualify for compared to traditional mortgages. They offer a more accurate representation of an applicant's income, especially for those with irregular or multiple income streams.
✅ Benefits Over Traditional Mortgages: Bank statement mortgages eliminate the need for tax returns and offer competitive interest rates. They also provide more flexibility in income documentation, allowing for other sources of income like rental income to be considered.
✅ Criteria for Qualification: To qualify, applicants need a good credit score, a steady income as evidenced by bank statements, and a substantial down payment, usually between 10-20% of the purchase price.
✅ Pros and Cons: While these mortgages offer several advantages like no need for tax returns and easier qualification, they may come with higher interest rates and larger down payments.
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What Is a bank statement mortgage? And how can it help me?
A Bank statement mortgage may seem like a challenging concept at first glance, but it's quite straightforward once you break it down. These mortgages, falling under the umbrella of non-conventional loans, employ a unique approach to income verification. Instead of relying on traditional methods such as tax returns, they use your bank statements as a measure of your financial capacity. This allows lenders to have a clear understanding of your income stream, especially for those who might have diverse sources of income.
These mortgages come as a solution to many who do not fit into the conventional income bracket, especially those who are self-employed or earn freelance income. They provide an alternative path to homeownership for individuals whose income might be irregular or hard to document. For example, if you're a freelance writer with variable monthly income, or a business owner who gets paid in lump sums, a traditional mortgage application process might not reflect your true earning potential.
Bank statement mortgages stand out due to their unique approach to income verification, enabling a wider range of individuals to realize their homeownership dreams. It allows you to leverage your financial record, specifically your bank statements, to validate your income. This process doesn't just make the application process more accessible but also levels the playing field for those with non-traditional income patterns.
Ideal Solution for Self-Employed Individuals
Navigating the mortgage application process as a self-employed individual can often feel like swimming against the current. Traditional mortgage providers typically demand proof of consistent income via tax returns or pay slips, a requirement that proves tricky for the self-employed. This is where bank statement mortgages come to the rescue, offering an ideal solution that caters to the unique needs of self-employed individuals.
These mortgages recognize that self-employed individuals and freelancers often have inconsistent or fluctuating incomes. As such, the verification of income based on tax returns or pay slips can be unfair and doesn't accurately reflect their true earning capacity. Bank statement mortgages counter this issue by basing the assessment on the applicant's bank statements, ensuring a more accurate representation of their income.
The reality is that a growing number of people are self-employed or earning freelance income in our modern economy. It's only fair that the mortgage industry adapts to this shift and provides suitable home loan options for these individuals. By offering a more accessible route to securing a home loan, bank statement mortgages are making homeownership a viable goal for self-employed individuals.
How do bank statement loans work?
The inner workings of bank statement loans are simpler than one might anticipate. The process of applying for a bank statement mortgage is straightforward. The applicant needs to provide their bank statements for a specific period, usually ranging between 12 to 24 months, as a measure of their consistent income.
The lender will use these bank statements to calculate your income, primarily by averaging out your monthly deposits. This method provides a more accurate and realistic picture of your financial status compared to traditional methods, which might not take into account fluctuations in income or multiple income sources.
Your bank statement becomes a crucial piece of evidence in your mortgage application, acting as an indicator of your financial health. It can provide reassurance to lenders that despite the irregularity of your income, you have the financial capacity to meet your mortgage repayment obligations. Ultimately, bank statement mortgages offer a more inclusive and adaptive method of income verification, embracing the varying ways individuals earn their income in the modern economy.
What are the benefits of bank statement mortgages?
Bank statement mortgages offer several benefits to self-employed and freelance individuals, including:
✔ No need for tax returns: Since bank statement mortgages rely on your bank statements, you don't need to provide tax returns. This makes it much easier for self-employed and freelance individuals to qualify for a mortgage.
✔ Higher chance of approval: With traditional mortgages, self-employed and freelance individuals often struggle to get approved because their income is variable. But with bank statement mortgages, lenders are more likely to approve your application since they can see that you have a steady income.
✔ More flexibility: Bank statement mortgages offer more flexibility when it comes to income documentation. Since you don't need to provide tax returns, you can use other sources of income, such as rental income, to help you qualify for a mortgage.
✔ Competitive interest rates: Bank statement mortgages often come with competitive interest rates, making them an affordable option for self-employed and freelance individuals.
How to qualify for a bank statement mortgage?
To qualify for a bank statement mortgage, you'll need to meet certain criteria, including:
✔ Good credit score: Like any other mortgage, you'll need a good credit score is key to getting the best mortgage rate and terms. Credit Scores down to 575 with select lenders.
✔ Steady income: While bank statement mortgages are designed for self-employed and freelance individuals, you still need to have a steady income. Lenders will look at your bank statements to ensure that you have a consistent income.
✔ Down payment: Since bank statement mortgages are considered higher risk, lenders may require a larger down payment. Be prepared to put down at least 10-10-20% of the purchase price.
✔ Reserves: Lenders may require you to have a certain amount of cash reserves to cover your mortgage payments in case your income decreases. Not all lenders have the same reserve requirement. It's important to discuss with a mortgage professional at Bennett Capital Partners to determine the best lender for your scenario.
Give us a call we would love to talk to you 305-407-0747
Pros and Cons of Bank Statement Mortgages
Like any other financial product, bank statement mortgages have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of bank statement mortgages:
Pros:
✔ No tax returns required: One of the main advantages of bank statement mortgages is that you don't have to provide tax returns. This is a huge advantage for self-employed individuals who may not have the same level of documentation as traditionally employed individuals.
✔ Easier to qualify: Since bank statement mortgages are designed for self-employed individuals and freelancers, they are easier to qualify for than traditional mortgages. The requirements are less strict, which can make it easier to get approved.
✔ Greater flexibility: Bank statement mortgages offer greater flexibility in terms of income documentation. You can use other sources of income, such as rental income, to help you qualify for the loan.
✔ Competitive interest rates: Bank statement mortgages often come with competitive interest rates, which can make them an affordable option for many people.
Cons:
✔ Higher interest rates: While bank statement mortgages often come with competitive interest rates, they may still be higher than traditional mortgages.
✔ Large down payment: Since bank statement mortgages are considered a higher risk, lenders may require a larger down payment. This can make it more difficult for some borrowers to qualify for the loan. The lowest downpayment available is 10% down as of 6/3/2023
How to Get a Bank Statement Mortgage
If you're interested in getting a bank statement mortgage, there are a few things you'll need to do:
✔ Find a lender: Start by reaching out to an experienced mortgage professional at Bennett Capital Partners. Not all programs and lenders are the same, so it's important to talk to a professional in deciding the best lender and program for your individual situation.
✔ Gather documentation: You'll need to provide bank statements for the past 12 to 24 months to show that you have a consistent income. You may also need to provide other documentation, such as proof of employment or business ownership.
✔ Apply for the loan: Once you have your documentation, you can apply for the loan. The lender will review your application and determine whether or not you qualify for the loan. Give us a call 305-407-0747 or apply here
✔ Close the loan: If you're approved for the loan, you'll need to close the loan. This involves signing the necessary paperwork and paying any closing costs associated with the loan.
Conclusion
Bank statement mortgages can be an excellent option for self-employed individuals and freelancers who may struggle to qualify for traditional mortgages. These loans offer more flexibility and are generally easier to qualify for, but they do come with some drawbacks, such as higher interest rates and larger down payments.
If you're considering a bank statement mortgage, it's crucial to do your research and find the right lender to work with. Bennett Capital Partners is a top-rated mortgage company that specializes in providing bank statement mortgages to self-employed individuals and freelancers.
With Bennett Capital Partners, you can expect competitive rates and terms that work for you, as well as excellent customer service throughout the entire mortgage process. Their team of experts will work closely with you to understand your unique financial situation and find the best loan product to meet your needs.
FAQ's
How does a bank statement mortgage differ from a traditional mortgage?
A bank statement mortgage uses your bank statements to calculate your income, while a traditional mortgage uses your tax returns. This makes bank statement mortgages a more attractive option for self-employed borrowers and borrowers with inconsistent income.
What are the requirements for qualifying for a bank statement mortgage?
In general, you will need to have a good credit score, a down payment of at least 5%, and a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 50%. You may also need to provide proof of income from your bank statements.
What are the benefits of a bank statement mortgage?
Bank statement mortgages offer a number of benefits, including:
* Lower interest rates
* More lenient credit requirements
* No need to provide tax returns
* Shorter loan terms
What are the drawbacks of a bank statement mortgage?
Bank statement mortgages also have some drawbacks, including:
* Higher closing costs
* More stringent underwriting requirements
* Shorter loan terms
What are some tips for getting a bank statement mortgage?
Here are some tips for getting a bank statement mortgage:
* Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping for a home.
* Compare rates from multiple lenders.
* Be prepared to provide documentation, such as your bank statements and tax returns.
* Work with a mortgage lender who is experienced in working with self-employed borrowers.
Philip Bennett
Philip is the owner and Licensed Mortgage Broker at Bennett Capital Partners, Bus. NMLS # 2046828. He earned his degree in Accounting and Finance from Binghamton University and holds a Master's Degree in Finance from NOVA Southeastern University. With more than 20 years of experience, Philip has been a leader in the mortgage industry. He has personally originated over $2 billion in residential and commercial mortgages.
Learn more about Philip Bennett's background and experience on our Founder's page. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate investor, our team is here to help you achieve your real estate goals. Don't wait any longer, contact us today and let us help you find the right mortgage for your needs.
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