FHA Loans
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and designed to help first-time homebuyers and low-to-moderate-income borrowers. FHA loans have lower credit score requirements and smaller down payment requirements than conventional loans, making them more accessible for self-employed borrowers who may have difficulty meeting traditional lending requirements. FHA loans are also more lenient when it comes to income documentation requirements, which can be a benefit for self-employed borrowers.
Pros of FHA Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers:
- Lower down payment requirements: FHA loans require a down payment of only 3.5% compared to the 5-20% required for conventional loans.
- Lower credit score requirements: FHA loans allow borrowers with lower credit scores to qualify for a mortgage.
- Lenient income documentation requirements: FHA loans require less documentation of income and employment history, making it easier for self-employed borrowers to qualify.
Cons of FHA Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers:
- Mortgage insurance premiums: FHA loans require mortgage insurance premiums (MIP), which increase the overall cost of the loan.
- Limits on loan amount: FHA loans have a maximum loan amount limit, which may be lower than the amount needed to purchase a home in certain areas.
- Property requirements: FHA loans require the property to meet certain standards, which may limit the types of properties that qualify.
Conventional Loans
Conventional loans are not backed by a government agency and are offered by private lenders. Conventional loans typically have stricter credit score and income requirements, but they also offer more flexibility in terms of loan amount and property types. Conventional loans may be a good option for self-employed borrowers with strong financials and a substantial down payment.
Pros of Conventional Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers:
- Higher loan amounts: Conventional loans offer higher loan amounts than FHA loans, which may be beneficial for borrowers in high-cost areas.
- No mortgage insurance requirement: If a borrower puts down at least 20%, they will not be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
- Flexible property requirements: Conventional loans have more flexible property requirements, which may make it easier to finance unique properties.
Cons of Conventional Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers:
- Stricter credit score and income requirements: Conventional loans typically require higher credit scores and stricter income requirements than FHA loans.
- Larger down payment requirements: Conventional loans typically require a larger down payment than FHA loans, which may be a barrier for some self-employed borrowers.
- More documentation required: Conventional loans require more documentation of income and employment history, which may be challenging for self-employed borrowers.
