Self-Employed Loan Requirements in Florida
Exactly what you need to qualify as a Florida business owner, 1099 earner, or freelancer: time in business, income documentation, credit, and down payment. Licensed FL mortgage broker NMLS# 1859012.
By Onias Derilus, Mortgage Capital · NMLS# 1859012 · Last Updated: June 2026
A Florida self-employed mortgage meets you where your income lives. Beyond traditional loans that read your tax returns, bank statement programs qualify you on deposits and profit-and-loss programs use a CPA-prepared statement. The right documentation path is the whole game. Here is the full checklist.
Time in Business and Income Docs
Most conventional and government loans want a two-year self-employment history, though some programs accept one year with prior experience in the same field or strong reserves.
Income can be documented three ways: two years of tax returns, 12 to 24 months of bank statements, or a CPA-prepared profit-and-loss statement. We pick the path that shows your real earning power.
Credit and Down Payment
Plan on a 620 credit score or higher for most self-employed programs, with the best pricing reserved for 700-plus. Government loans like FHA can go lower.
Down payment depends on the path. Conventional can go as low as 3 to 5% when tax returns support the income; bank statement and non-QM loans usually want 10 to 20%. Reserves strengthen lower-documentation files.
| Requirement | Typical Standard |
|---|---|
| Time in Business | 1–2 years |
| Credit Score | 620+ (700+ best pricing) |
| Down Payment | 3–5% conventional / 10–20% alt-doc |
| Income Docs | Returns, bank statements, or P&L |
| Reserves | Expected on alt-doc files |
Guidelines vary by lender. Not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Lender.
Documents to Gather
Most self-employed files include your bank statements or tax returns, a business license, and a CPA letter where it helps. Independent contractors add their 1099s.
See the step-by-step path on our how to qualify page.
Self-Employed Loan Requirements — FAQ
Most conventional and government loans want a two-year self-employment history. Some programs accept one year if you have prior experience in the same field or strong reserves. Bank statement and non-QM lenders are often the most flexible on time-in-business.
Plan on 620 or higher for most self-employed programs, with the best pricing reserved for 700-plus. Government loans like FHA can go lower, but the alternative-documentation programs that suit many business owners generally start around 620.
It depends on the program. A conventional loan can go as low as 3 to 5% down if your tax returns support the income. Bank statement and non-QM loans usually want 10 to 20%. More down often unlocks better terms when documented income is limited.
See If You Qualify as a Self-Employed Buyer
Bank statement & P&I options · 620+ FICO · Licensed FL mortgage broker NMLS# 1859012
Rates are illustrative only. APR and payments vary by credit score, loan amount, and market conditions. Subject to credit approval. Not a commitment to lend. NMLS# 1859012. Equal Housing Lender.