Being self employed has a lot of advantages, but there are a few extra hoops you have to jump through when it comes to buying a home. The good news is that the home buying process is generally the same for everyone, so you can use this guide to help you through the process. Here’s what you need to know about buying a home when you’re self employed.

First, self employed individuals will need to provide self-employed income verification when applying for a mortgage. This means you’ll need to show two years of self employment tax returns and profit & loss statements. Be prepared to document your full self-employment history in order to qualify for the loan.

Second, self employed borrowers may need a larger down payment than traditional borrowers. Since self employed people typically have variable incomes, lenders may require larger down payments as a way of mitigating risk associated with the loan. Lenders generally like to see at least 20% of the home's purchase price as a down payment, but self-employed individuals may need to put down 25% or more.

Third, self employed borrowers should make sure their credit score is in good shape before applying for a loan. Having a good credit score shows potential lenders that you’re responsible and capable of repaying the loan on time each month.

If you’re self employed, it’s important to have a good credit score in order to get a mortgage. Here are a few tips to help you improve your credit score:

1. Check your credit report for errors and dispute any that you find.

2. Make sure you’re always making on-time payments for all of your bills, including your mortgage, car loan, and credit card bills.

3. Keep your credit utilization low – try not to max out your credit cards.

4. Don’t apply for new credit cards or loans if you don’t need them. Each time you apply for new credit, it impacts your credit score.

5. If you have negative items on your credit report, such as late payments or bankruptcies, work on repairing your credit before applying for a mortgage.

Finally, self employed borrowers may need to provide additional documents when applying for a mortgage. This includes balance sheets and business licenses from the self employment entity. Be sure to ask your lender what other documents are required so that you have everything in place before submitting an application.

Following these tips can help self employed individuals navigate the home buying process with ease. With the right preparation and documentation, self employed people can successfully purchase a home of their own!

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