Just because you’re self-employed doesn’t mean you can never buy a home or are stuck with a ridiculously high interest rate for the “privilege” of qualifying for a loan.
So what are some things you need to consider as a self-employed borrower?
1. CRUNCH YOUR NUMBERS
Your self-employed status does not have to impact negatively on your borrowing potential, although the amount of information you can supply will ultimately decide which products are available to you.
Lenders calculate how much they are willing to lend using a combination of your credit score, income records and their affordability calculations.
If you are self-employed, your overall income and financial situation may be more complicated, so it is important to establish a solid track record of low expenses and high income.
2. GET YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER
Requirements vary depending on the lender but, generally, self-employed borrowers will need both to have been in business and to have held an ABN for at least two years.
On top of the usual loan application documentation, lenders may also require you to produce BAS statements, tax returns, bank accounts and perhaps a declaration from your accountant.
Being concise and providing correct and accurate information to the lender will increase your chances of a positive outcome.
3. DO YOUR TAXES AND CUT DEBT
Keep your taxes up to date so you can always show your most recent income history and make sure the tax assessments are paid.
Self-employed applicants are more likely to have their tax portals checked for anything outstanding.
It’s also a good idea to eliminate or reduce your other personal debt.
Lenders don’t just look at the balance, even if its zero – they count the limits on your credit cards and assess them as risk or funds you owe.
4. KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
The good news is that lenders do have loans for self-employed people, contractors and business owners.
In theory, self-employed borrowers have access to exactly the same range of mortgage products as everyone else, so long as you are able to put down the necessary deposit and substantiate your income you have a good chance of getting an advantageous rate.
One option to consider is a Low Documentation (Low Doc) Home Loan.
These are designed for self-employed customers and small business owners who may not have access to the financial statements and tax returns usually required when applying for a home loan.
‘’Low doc’’ simply means alternative forms of income confirmation (bank statements, financial statements etc.) as opposed to PAYG slips and tax returns.
5. STRATEGISE
Consult with your mortgage broker to formulate a plan for securing your loan well before buying your property.
This allows you to build your serviceability based on expert advice and years of experience.