Leslie Penney Mortgage Broker

(709) 764-4744 leslie@lesliepenney.ca

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    • Apply Here
    • About Leslie Penney
    • The Leslie Penney Team
    • First-Time Home Buyers
    • Mortgage Renewals
    • Mortgage Refinancing
    • Mortgage Pre-Approvals
    • Self-Employed Mortgages
    • Investment Mortgages
    • New to Canada Mortgages
    • Purchase Plus Improvement
    • New Construction Mortgage
    • Vacation and Second Homes
    • Private Mortgages
    • Mortgage Authority
    • Trusted and Recognized
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Leslie Penney Mortgage Broker

(709) 764-4744 leslie@lesliepenney.ca

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Apply Here
  • About Leslie Penney
  • The Leslie Penney Team
  • First-Time Home Buyers
  • Mortgage Renewals
  • Mortgage Refinancing
  • Mortgage Pre-Approvals
  • Self-Employed Mortgages
  • Investment Mortgages
  • New to Canada Mortgages
  • Purchase Plus Improvement
  • New Construction Mortgage
  • Vacation and Second Homes
  • Private Mortgages
  • Mortgage Authority
  • Trusted and Recognized

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  • Bookings
  • My Account
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  • Bookings
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Self-Employed Mortgages in Newfoundland & Labrador

Being self-employed shouldn't mean your mortgage options are limited. But proving income can be more complicated when you own a business, work for yourself or earn income differently than a traditional salaried employee.


We'll help you understand how lenders may look at your income, what documentation you may need and w

EXPLORE MY MORTGAGE OPTIONS

Why Can Mortgages Be Different When You’re Self-Employed?

When you're self-employed, the income you report on your tax return may not always tell the complete story of your business or your ability to manage a mortgage.


Business owners often structure their income differently, deduct legitimate business expenses or leave money within a corporation. As a result, determining the income that can be used for mortgage qualification may require a closer look than it does for someone earning a traditional salary.

Your Taxable Income Isn't Always the Whole Story

Different lenders may assess self-employed income differently depending on your business, how long you've been self-employed, how you're paid and the documentation available.


That's where working with a mortgage broker can be particularly valuable. We'll look at your overall situation and help determine which lenders and mortgage options may be a fit — rather than assuming one approach works for every business owner.

How Do Lenders Verify Self-Employed Income?

There isn't one way every lender calculates self-employed income. The approach can depend on how your business is structured, how you're paid, how long you've been in business and the mortgage program you're applying for.

Personal Tax Returns

Lenders may review your personal tax returns and Notices of Assessment to establish your reported income and understand your recent income history.

Business Financials

For incorporated business owners, lenders may also look at corporate financial statements or other business information to better understand the financial strength of the business.

Your Business History

How long you've been self-employed and the stability of your business can affect the mortgage options available to you.

Alternative Income Verification

In some situations, there may be mortgage programs that use alternative methods to assess reasonable business income when traditional income documentation doesn't fully reflect the strength of the application.

The Right Approach Depends on Your Situation

A sole proprietor, an incorporated business owner and someone who recently became self-employed can each have very different mortgage options.


We'll help you understand how your income may be viewed and which lending approach makes the most sense for your circumstances.

What Documents Might You Need?

Personal & Income Documents

Don't Worry About Having Everything Ready First

Personal & Income Documents

  • Personal income tax returns
  • Notices of Assessment
  • Proof that income taxes are up to date
  • Bank statements or other income documentation
  • Identification and down payment verification

Business Documents

Don't Worry About Having Everything Ready First

Personal & Income Documents

  • Business registration or articles of incorporation
  • Corporate financial statements
  • Business tax returns or Notices of Assessment, where applicable
  • Business bank statements
  • Information confirming how long you've been operating the business

Don't Worry About Having Everything Ready First

Don't Worry About Having Everything Ready First

Don't Worry About Having Everything Ready First

You don't need to figure out which documents apply to you before contacting us.


Tell us how you're self-employed and how your business is structured, and we'll let you know what documentation is actually needed for your situation.

What If My Taxable Income Doesn't Tell the Whole Story?

Many self-employed Canadians legitimately deduct business expenses to reduce their taxable income. While that can make sense from a tax perspective, it can also mean the income shown on your personal tax return doesn't fully reflect the financial strength of your business.


That doesn't automatically mean you can't qualify for the mortgage you need.


Depending on your circumstances, some lenders may consider additional information about your business or use different methods of assessing self-employed income.

This Is Where Lender Choice Matters

Different lenders can take different approaches to self-employed borrowers. The best solution isn't always the lender offering the lowest advertised rate — it's finding a lender and mortgage program that appropriately fits your income and overall financial situation.


We'll review how you're paid, how your business is structured and the documentation available before determining which mortgage options are worth exploring.

Don't assume you won't qualify based solely on the income shown on your tax return.

Mortgage Options for Self-Employed Borrowers

Being self-employed doesn't automatically mean you need an alternative mortgage. Depending on your income, documentation, credit and overall application, there may be several ways to structure your financing.

Traditional Mortgage Options

If your income can be verified using standard documentation and meets the lender's requirements, you may qualify for many of the same mortgage options available to salaried borrowers.

Self-Employed Mortgage Programs

Some lenders have programs designed specifically for business owners and self-employed borrowers, with different approaches to documenting and assessing income.

Alternative Lending Options

When traditional qualification doesn't fit the circumstances, alternative lenders may provide additional options. These mortgages can have different rates, fees, down-payment or equity requirements, so it's important to understand the complete cost and strategy.

Start With the Best Option You Qualify For

Being self-employed shouldn't automatically push you toward a more expensive mortgage.


Our job is to understand your situation, explore the appropriate lending options and help you find a mortgage that makes sense for both your finances and your business.

Can You Get a Mortgage If You’re Newly Self-Employed?

Possibly. Being newly self-employed doesn't automatically mean you have to wait years before you can qualify for a mortgage.


Your options will depend on factors such as your previous employment, experience in the same industry, how your business is structured, your income, credit, down payment and the lender's requirements.


For example, someone who leaves an employed position to start a business in the same field may have a very different application than someone starting an entirely new business in an unfamiliar industry.

Don't Assume You Have to Wait Two Years

Two years of self-employed history can make income verification more straightforward with many lenders, but it isn't a universal rule that every self-employed borrower must be in business for two full years before any mortgage is possible.


If you've recently become self-employed, it's worth reviewing your situation before delaying your home-buying plans.

EXPLORE MY MORTGAGE OPTIONS

Self-Employed Mortgage FAQs

Please reach us at leslie@lesliepenney.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Yes. Self-employed borrowers can qualify for mortgages, but the way your income is documented and assessed may be different than it is for a salaried employee. The options available will depend on your income, business history, credit, down payment and overall application.


Not always. Two years of history can make income verification more straightforward, but some borrowers may have options with a shorter self-employment history depending on their circumstances, previous experience, documentation and the lender.


It depends on the lender and mortgage program. Some lenders may primarily use income reported on your tax documents, while others may consider additional business information or alternative methods of establishing reasonable income.


Potentially. Business deductions can reduce the taxable income shown on your tax return, which can affect traditional mortgage qualification. Depending on your circumstances, there may be other lending approaches worth exploring.


Not necessarily. Incorporation changes how income may flow from your business to you personally, so the lender may need additional documentation to understand your overall income and the financial position of the business.


Potentially. Dividend income may be considered depending on its history, documentation and the lender's requirements. We'll review how you pay yourself and determine how that income may be treated.


Not automatically. If you qualify under standard lending guidelines, being self-employed by itself doesn't necessarily mean a higher rate. Alternative mortgage programs can carry different rates and fees, which is why we look at traditional options first when appropriate.


Requirements vary, but lenders may request personal tax returns, Notices of Assessment, business registration or incorporation documents, financial statements and other information supporting your income and business history. We'll tell you what's actually required for your situation.


Self-Employed Mortgage Resources

Helpful articles, answers and insights for business owners and self-employed Canadians looking to understand their mortgage options and how lenders may assess their income.

Self-Employed? Let’s Look at Your Options.

Your income may not fit neatly into a traditional box — and that's exactly why it's worth having your mortgage reviewed properly.


Whether you're a sole proprietor, incorporated business owner or recently self-employed, we'll help you understand how lenders may view your income and which mortgage options may be available to you.

EXPLORE MY MORTGAGE OPTIONS

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