Mortgage guides
Plain-English and independent. Every guide is sourced to primary rules — CFPB, HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac — not lender marketing copy.
- Pillar12 min read
The self-employed mortgage guide
The full hub: how lenders qualify self-employed income, what to prepare, and which loan fits.
- Self-employed8 min read
Bank statement loans, explained
Qualify on 12–24 months of deposits instead of tax returns — rates, rules, and who qualifies.
- 1099 & freelance7 min read
1099 & freelance mortgage, explained
How 1099 contractors qualify — income documentation, loan options, and the write-off trap.
- Veteran8 min read
VA loans for self-employed veterans
0% down, competitive rates — and how self-employed veterans document income for approval.
- Rural7 min read
USDA loans: rural buyers' 0% down option
Who qualifies, what areas are eligible, and how self-employed income is handled.
- Gig & freelance10 min read
Freelancer & gig worker mortgage guide
Upwork, Fiverr, Uber, DoorDash — how platform income earners document income and which loans fit.
- ITIN & newcomer10 min read
ITIN mortgage loans: buying a home without an SSN
How ITIN holders qualify, what programs exist, rates vs. conventional, and the path to refinancing.
- First-time buyer11 min read
First-time homebuyer guide for self-employed borrowers
FHA entry point, down payment assistance, building qualifying income, and a 2-year roadmap.