Self-employed borrowers in Florida run into the same hurdle as business owners everywhere: the tax return that keeps their tax bill reasonable can make their income look thin to a mortgage underwriter. Whether you own a storefront, consult from home or run a crew, you may be eligible for a full-doc loan, an alternative-doc loan, or both. Comparing the two routes for a Florida property shows which documentation method reflects your income more fairly. Most owners already have both sets of records on hand.
Call to talk with a licensed loan officer. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Lenders often confirm that your business is active. In Florida, business entity records are searchable through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. If a CPA prepares your expense letter or P&L, the lender may check the license with the Florida Board of Accountancy / Division of Certified Public Accounting.
Where the numbers point in Florida
Counties with the most self-employed workers:
| County | Self-employed workers |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | 224,931 |
| Broward County | 144,274 |
| Palm Beach County | 112,477 |
| Orange County | 83,696 |
| Hillsborough County | 79,924 |
| Pinellas County | 60,315 |
| Lee County | 49,446 |
| Duval County | 47,180 |
| Volusia County | 32,774 |
| Sarasota County | 31,793 |
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Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 508-8976. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Local pages in Florida
- Bank statement loans in Miami
- Bank statement loans in Tampa
- Bank statement loans in Orlando
- Bank statement loans in Jacksonville
- Bank statement loans in Sarasota
- Bank statement loans in Cape Coral
- Bank statement loans in Palm Bay
- Bank statement loans in Port St. Lucie
- Bank statement loans in Bonita Springs
- Bank statement loans in Palm Coast
- Bank statement loans in Kissimmee
- Bank statement loans in Pensacola
- Bank statement loans in Lakeland
- Bank statement loans in Winter Haven
- Bank statement loans in St. Petersburg
- Bank statement loans in Tallahassee
- Bank statement loans in Hialeah
- Bank statement loans in North Port
- Bank statement loans in Gainesville
- Bank statement loans in Deltona
- Bank statement loans in Fort Lauderdale
- Bank statement loans in Pembroke Pines
- Bank statement loans in Ocala
- Bank statement loans in Hollywood
- Bank statement loans in Leesburg
- Bank statement loans in Miramar
- Bank statement loans in Panama City
- Bank statement loans in Coral Springs
- Bank statement loans in Lehigh Acres
- Bank statement loans in Clearwater
Common questions
Can I use business funds for my down payment?
Many programs allow it, but lenders usually want to confirm that withdrawing the money will not harm the business. That may mean a CPA or tax preparer letter, a cash flow review, or simply showing the business has enough left after the withdrawal. Moving funds into a personal account well ahead of applying can make sourcing simpler. Ask your loan officer how they handle it.
How do you get a mortgage when you are self-employed?
You document your income either with tax returns, which is the full-documentation route, or with alternative records such as bank statements, a P&L, 1099 forms or assets. A lender builds a qualifying income figure from those records and compares it with your debts. The right route usually depends on how closely your returns reflect your real cash flow. All loans are subject to credit approval.
Can I refinance if I am self-employed?
Yes, you may be eligible to refinance using either full documentation or an alternative-doc program. The lender will want current income records, a value estimate on the home and a review of credit. If your newer returns are stronger than when you bought, pricing a full-doc refinance alongside an alternative-doc option is worthwhile. Cash-out refinances often come with tighter limits.
Other non-QM options in Florida
Bank statement loansNon-QM lenders1099 loansP&L loansAsset depletionNo-doc / stated incomeNew self-employedITIN loansForeign nationalNon-warrantable condoBank statement HELOCInterest-only
Related guides
- How to Get a Mortgage When You Are Self-Employed
- Self-Employed Mortgage Requirements: The Full-Documentation Route
- How Tax Write-Offs Affect Your Mortgage Qualifying Income
Self-Employed Mortgages overview · Florida non-QM overview
- Census ACS 2020-2024, table B24080