Buying a home when you are self-employed

Self-employed buyers can absolutely get competitive mortgages, but the documentation is heavier. Lenders typically want two years of tax returns and notices of assessment, business financial statements, proof the business is active, and often bank statements showing deposits.

The central tension is tax planning. Aggressively minimising taxable income reduces the income a lender can use, so a strategy that saves tax can shrink your approval.

If you plan to buy within two years, talk to an accountant and a broker together. There are also alternative and stated-income programs, but they carry higher rates and larger down payment requirements.