Being self-employed you may think of getting a mortgage is out of your reach. But working for yourself does not necessarily mean you’ll have to forgo the idea of owning a home.

We break down how to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed, from what paperwork you’ll need, to how your work history and credit score play into the equation.

Work History Yes it Matters  

Your work history matters. Lenders want to see that you have been pulling in a steady income for at least two years and have the paperwork to prove it. This is especially important if you have a 1099

So why does your work history matter? We want to ensure that you will be able to pay the mortgage, that you bring in a steady income, and that your income has trended upwards over the years.

One important thing to note: If you recently became self-employed, and have a W2 is from a similar field, some lenders will make an exception to the two-year rule.