Guy Troxler 
Key Highlights for Self-Employed Home Loans in 2026 You don’t need tax returns to qualify. Non-QM loans let self-employed borrowers prove income through bank deposits, assets, or rental cash flow instead. Multiple programs exist for every situation — bank statement loans, P&L loans, 1099 loans, DSCR loans, asset depletion loans, and fast digital HELOCs. Credit … Read more
The Short Answer From a Non-QM Lending Perspective After years of helping self-employed borrowers get financed, I can tell you the choice usually comes down to one thing: how clean and steady your business finances are. A bank statement loan proves your income by looking at the money that actually flows through your bank accounts. … Read more
Most non-QM HELOC lenders look for a credit score around 620 to 680, though some portfolio lenders go as low as the mid-500s when you have strong equity. That’s generally more forgiving than a traditional bank HELOC, which often wants 680 or higher. Your credit score is only part of the picture, as non-QM lenders … Read more
Yes, you can usually get a HELOC on a home held in a revocable living trust. Many home equity lenders allow it, because you still control the trust and can change it anytime. You’ll need to give the lender a copy of your trust documents, and you may need to sign both personally and as … Read more
Yes. Most home equity loans require some form of appraisal, but it isn’t always a full, in-person one. Lenders need to know what your home is worth before they’ll lend against it, but in 2026 that value can be established several ways: a traditional full appraisal, a drive-by (exterior-only) appraisal, an automated valuation model (AVM), … Read more
Good credit helps, but it isn’t strictly required. Most home equity lenders set a minimum around 680, with some approving at 620, and non-QM and portfolio lenders going lower still. What makes home equity lending different from unsecured credit is that your equity does much of the work. Underwriters weigh three numbers together: credit score, … Read more
More than ever before loan officers are answering the question, “Are HELOCs considered a second mortgage?” It seems like a pretty straight forward question, but let’s explore the definition of a home equity line of credit and 2nd mortgage loan so we can address this properly. banks and lenders use terms like home equity loan, … Read more
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