Self-employed mortgage refinancing

Jul 7 – Oct 17, 2026Updated Oct 17, 2026Reviewed by

How we measure

AI summary

has a clear lead for self-employed mortgage refinancing, with guidance and bank-statement options for qualifying borrowers.

It depends

For switching from a variable to a fixed rate, is recommended most for refinancing rates.

Which brands AI mentions

#BrandMentioned in

Guidance, bank-statement options, and digital applications for self-employed borrowers.

Streamlined online applications and competitive rates for self-employed refinancing.

Bank-statement loans and loan variety for borrowers with complex income.

Alternative documentation and flexible underwriting for self-employed borrowers with complex finances.

Bank-statement and DSCR loans among its options for self-employed borrowers.

Mentioned in

ChatGPTChatGPTGoogle AI ModeGoogle AI Mode

Widest split: First National Bank of America, 0% on ChatGPT and 70% on Google AI Mode.

Questions and answers

  • ChatGPTOct 8, 2026

    1. 1Sage Home Loans
    2. 2Tomo
    3. 3LoanDepot
    4. 4Griffin Funding
    5. 5New American Funding
    6. 6North American Savings Bank

    Yes. I checked current October 2026 pricing and lender programs. The important point is that the best lender for a self-employed borrower depends heavily on whether you qualify using tax returns or need bank-statement/non-QM underwriting.

    Current market

    As of October 8, 2026, the national average for a 30-year fixed refinance is about 7.57%. Bankrate's current marketplace shows top advertised offers around 6.62%–6.99%, but those rates assume a relatively strong borrower profile and can require substantial points.

    For example, Bankrate currently shows:

    Lender30-year refi rateAPRPoints
    Sage Home Loans6.623%6.848%1.887
    Tomo Mortgage6.750%6.928%1.17
    loanDepot6.990%7.207%1.705

    These are marketplace offers, not guaranteed self-employed quotes.

    My shortlist for a self-employed borrower

    1. Sage Home Loans — best place to check for conventional pricing

    Sage is particularly interesting if your tax returns can support the loan. It's headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, offers refinances, and its current marketplace rate is the lowest of the lenders I found.

    Sage Home Loans refinance

    2. NASB — one of my first calls if tax returns understate your income

    NASB specifically offers bank-statement refinance loans for self-employed borrowers, using 12 or 24 months of personal/business deposits rather than traditional tax returns. It also offers a 1099 program. Its published guidelines include a 700 minimum FICO for its bank-statement program and up to 90% LTV in qualifying cases.

    NASB self-employed mortgage options

    3. Griffin Funding — especially worth pricing if you need bank-statement underwriting

    Griffin offers bank-statement rate-and-term refinancing and specifically serves self-employed borrowers. It uses 12–24 months of bank statements and offers fixed-rate options. Its South Carolina program explicitly includes refinance transactions.

    Griffin Funding bank-statement loans

    One caution: Griffin's published bank-statement examples currently show rates around 6.50%–6.875%, but those examples are accompanied by 2.625–3.50 points, so don't compare the headline rate without comparing APR and total closing costs.

    4. New American Funding — good alternative for complex self-employment income

    New American Funding offers non-QM options using bank statements and other alternative documentation. Its published guidance says programs can use 12–24 months of business/personal statements and, in some cases, a one-year P&L.

    New American Funding self-employed mortgage options

    The big decision for you

    If your tax returns show enough income, I'd try conventional first. Fannie Mae's current rules specifically allow self-employed income to be evaluated through a documented cash-flow analysis, so being self-employed doesn't automatically mean you need a more expensive bank-statement loan.

    If you've taken substantial business deductions and your taxable income looks artificially low, I'd get simultaneous quotes from NASB + Griffin + New American Funding for a bank-statement refinance. Bank-statement loans are normally more expensive than conventional mortgages, so you want to establish whether the underwriting flexibility is actually worth the higher rate/cost. NASB explicitly notes that its bank-statement rates are generally higher than conventional rates.

    Also, switching from your ARM to fixed doesn't necessarily mean your payment will immediately fall—you're buying payment certainty and protection against future rate increases. loanDepot specifically notes that an ARM-to-fixed refinance can result in a higher rate/payment while eliminating future rate uncertainty.

    I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 lenders for your situation

    If you give me these 6 numbers, I can compare the likely conventional vs. bank-statement route and calculate your refinance break-even:

    1. Current mortgage balance
    2. Current interest rate
    3. Years remaining on the mortgage
    4. Approximate home value
    5. Credit score
    6. Approximate annual taxable income vs. annual gross business income/deposits

    Also tell me whether this is your primary residence, second home, or investment property.

    Google AI ModeSep 21, 2026

    1. 1New American Funding
    2. 2Guild Mortgage
    3. 3CrossCountry Mortgage
    4. 4Fairway Independent Mortgage
    5. 5PenFed Credit Union
    6. 6Rocket Mortgage
    7. 7PNC Bank

    Switching from a variable (adjustable) rate mortgage to a stable fixed-rate mortgage is a smart move if you want to lock in predictability. However, for self-employed individuals, the "best" refinancing rate often depends heavily on how you document your income (traditional tax returns vs. 1099/bank statements).

    Because self-employed borrowers face extra scrutiny regarding write-offs and fluctuating revenue, top lenders are categorized below by their strengths for this specific borrower profile:

    Top Refinancing Lenders for Self-Employed Borrowers

    1. New American Funding
      • Best For: Overall flexibility and specialized programs. They feature alternative documentation paths (Non-QM options) that accommodate fluctuating or non-traditional incomes, making it easier if your tax returns show heavy write-offs.
    2. Guild Mortgage
      • Best For: Niche loan variety. They excel in providing alternative documentation options like bank statement loans (using 12 to 24 months of deposits instead of tax returns to prove cash flow).
    3. CrossCountry Mortgage
      • Best For: Speed and accommodating complex files. They have a strong reputation for manual underwriting capabilities, which helps self-employed applicants whose business structures don't fit standard automated bank algorithms.
    4. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
      • Best For: Personalized guidance. They offer a wide variety of refinance products and specialized loan officers experienced in untangling self-employed tax documents and schedules.
    5. Local and Regional Credit Unions (e.g., PenFed Credit Union)
      • Best For: Relationship-based pricing and lower fees. Credit unions are often more willing to manually review a member's multi-year business stability rather than relying purely on rigid automated underwriting systems.

    Key Strategy for Self-Employed Refinancing

    • If your taxable income is high (clean tax returns): You can qualify for standard conventional fixed-rate refinances through major volume lenders like Rocket Mortgage or PNC Bank , which frequently offer competitive market rates.
    • If you write off a lot of expenses: Avoid standard big-box retail banks that rely strictly on line 31 of your Schedule C. Instead, target lenders that offer Bank Statement Refinancing (like Guild or specialized Non-QM lenders) to avoid getting unnecessarily denied or stuck with high rates.

    To help narrow down which lender will give you the best deal, tell me:

    • Do your tax returns reflect a strong net income, or do you utilize heavy business write-offs?
    • What is your approximate credit score range?

Also asked as

  • I'm a freelancer trying to refinance my home loan. Which mortgage lenders are best for self-employed borrowers?
  • I'm a freelancer needing to refinance my home loan. Which lenders or programs are best for someone in my position?