Best Non-QM Mortgage Lenders for Unconventional Incomes of November 2026

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Last updated October 15, 2026
If you’re struggling to qualify for a conventional loan due to an unconventional income, a non-QM loan could be the answer.
 

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Non-QMs (or non-qualified mortgages) are like double-edged swords. They typically come with more flexible eligibility requirements compared to traditional mortgages, but are not backed by government entities. This makes them riskier for lenders, and more costly for borrowers.
However, a loan like this could be just the weapon you need: If you can’t prove your income with traditional documents or you have a unique employment structure, non-QMs are worth considering.
This roundup includes NerdWallet's top-rated lenders that offer at least one of the following non-QM loan types:
  • Bank statement loans: Use your bank statements to provide proof of a stable income. 
  • 1099 loans: Use 1099 tax forms to calculate income and determine eligibility. 
  • Asset depletion loans: Use liquid assets to determine financial stability (typically targeted at high-net-worth borrowers). 
  • Written Verification of Employment (WVOE) loans: Verify income and employment through the employer (typically targeted at borrowers who earn wages that are more complicated to document).
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Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

Flagstar

NMLS#417490

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

600

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Flagstar

The Nerdy headline

Flagstar Bank stands out for having a wide variety of home loan options, including harder-to-find products. But take note that Flagstar has reduced its mortgage business as part of corporate restructuring. Executives have indicated that the lender will rebuild its home lending operations by focusing on the needs of banking clients.

What we like
  • Offers down payment assistance programs to borrowers in qualifying areas.
  • Reported average time to close is 25 days, faster than the national average.
  • Conventional loan terms extend to 40 years, which is unusually flexible.
What we don't like
  • You can't apply for preapproval or prequalification online.
  • Customer service options are limited.

Best for bank statement loans, asset depletion loans

First Federal Bank

NMLS#408902

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on First Federal Bank

The Nerdy headline

First Federal Bank stands out for its competitive APRs and its emphasis on government loans. Most likely to appeal to borrowers shopping for low rates and fees.

What we like
  • Strong experience in FHA and VA lending.
  • APRs tend to be competitive, according to the latest federal data.
  • Minimum credit score requirement of 580 for some loans, which is lower than some competitors.
What we don't like
  • Home equity lending is not a priority.
  • Customizable rates are not available online without providing contact information.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

Network Capital

NMLS#11712

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Network Capital

The Nerdy headline

Network Capital stands out for its focus on borrowers with lower credit score, and offering competitive refinance products.

What we like
  • Cash-out refinancing is an uncommon specialty, so Network Capital could appeal to that borrower.
  • Offers HELOCs for homeowners who want to access their equity without refinancing.
What we don't like
  • Home buyers should know the lender doesn’t specialize in purchase loans.
  • Borrowers must be contacted for a quote before completing an online application.

Best for bank statement loans, asset depletion loans

Rocket Mortgage, LLC

NMLS#3030

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Rocket Mortgage, LLC

The Nerdy headline

Rocket Mortgage is the Goliath of home loans in the U.S. It's the largest mortgage lender by volume, and keeps expanding its reach. Fortunately for borrowers, Rocket is a gentle giant, offering affordable borrowing options including a 1% down payment loan.

What we like
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance.
  • Largest lender, by volume, of FHA loans in 2025.
  • Borrowers can apply via mobile app.
What we don't like
  • Average origination fees are on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
  • No HELOCs.
  • No physical branches.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

Northpointe

NMLS#447490

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Northpointe

The Nerdy headline

In addition to conventional and government-backed loans, Northpointe Bank’s mortgage portfolio includes rarer offerings like doctor loans, condo loans and investment property loans. However, average fees and rates tend to be comparatively high.

What we like
  • Offers mortgages for investment properties.
  • Reported average closing time is faster than many competitors.
What we don't like
  • The lender's combination of rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest data.
  • Bank’s mobile app isn’t useful for mortgage borrowers.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

Rate

NMLS#2611

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Rate

The Nerdy headline

Rate boasts a streamlined application process, with full underwriting in as little as one business day — though for all its online conveniences, you'll still work with a human.

What we like
  • Fully underwritten mortgage approval in as little as one day for qualified borrowers.
  • Generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, jumbo and renovation.
  • Advertises a fixed-rate HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
What we don't like
  • Some affordable loan options have income limits or other restrictions.
  • HELOC requires immediate, full withdrawal of funds, though there is an option to make additional draws.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

Guild Mortgage

NMLS#3274

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

600

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Guild Mortgage

The Nerdy headline

Guild Mortgage offers a wide range of products that may attract nontraditional borrowers, including loans with 0% or 1% down. However, interest rates aren’t published online, making it harder to shop around.

What we like
  • Offers a wide range of loans, including harder-to-find products that appeal to nontraditional borrowers.
  • Borrowers can get a mortgage with 0% or 1% down.
  • Borrowers can apply via mobile app.
What we don't like
  • Mortgage rates aren’t posted online.
  • Customer service options are limited.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

Lower

NMLS#1124061

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on Lower

The Nerdy headline

Lower offers an impressive variety of loan products, including options for self-employed borrowers and those with non-traditional credit. Time to close is quicker than average and sample rates for many products are visible online, though you'll need to submit an application to get a custom quote.

What we like
  • Sample rates for several products are easily visible online.
  • Offers a wide variety of loan types, including fixed- and adjustable-rate loans, government-backed products, and home equity options.
  • Faster-than-average time to close.
What we don't like
  • Average APRs are on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Online sample rates require contact information to customize.
  • No mobile app.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

New American Funding

NMLS#6606

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

N/A

Our take on New American Funding

The Nerdy headline

New American Funding offers a large menu of loan products, as well as programs like first-time home buyer assistance, but personalized mortgage rates aren't available on its website.

What we like
  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages, as well as unique buyer assistance programs.
  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for a primary residence or second home.
What we don't like
  • Average rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans

AmeriSave

NMLS#1168

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

500

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on AmeriSave

The Nerdy headline

AmeriSave stands out for its $2,500 credit for first-time home buyers. Borrowers with low credit will find flexibility here. However, average interest rates and fees are higher than competitors’.

What we like
  • Offers a $2,500 credit to first-time home buyers who qualify.
  • Accepts borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 for certain loan types.
What we don't like
  • Average APR, which measures a combination of rates and fees, is higher than competitors, according to the latest federal data.
  • No mobile app.
  • Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require contacting a loan expert.

Best for bank statement loans, 1099 loans, WVOE loans, asset depletion loans

PrimeLending

NMLS#13649

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Our take on PrimeLending

The Nerdy headline

PrimeLending stands out for its harder-to-find mortgages, including renovation loans and options for self-employed borrowers, though online rate shopping isn't available. Most likely to appeal to buyers who need help with closing costs or want to finance a fixer-upper.

What we like
  • Offers closing cost assistance to some borrowers.
  • Wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans.
  • Mortgages are available for manufactured homes, including 3D-printed houses.
What we don't like
  • Rates are not posted online.
  • No live chat customer support available.

How we chose the best non-QM mortgage lenders

Our team of mortgage experts follows an objective, consumer-first methodology to assess home loan lenders and pick the best.

40+

Lenders reviewed

We review more than 40 lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and online lenders operating across multiple states.

100+

Categories assessed

Each lender is evaluated across more than 100 weighted categories covering rates and fees, types of home loans offered, rate transparency and customer experience.

11,000+11k+

Data points analyzed

Our team tracks and reassesses thousands of data points annually for reviewed lenders, ensuring up-to-date, accurate comparisons across multiple loan types.

Methodology

NerdWallet rates mortgage lenders based on what matters most to borrowers: rates and fees, product accessibility, customer experience, rate transparency and the range of loan options.
We review more than 40 lenders and score them using a weighted system that prioritizes affordability and a smooth borrowing experience. Lenders earn higher scores for offering lower borrowing costs, making loans widely available, clearly displaying rate information and supporting borrowers from application through closing.
We use a mix of lender-provided information, publicly available data and our own research and analysis to evaluate each lender. Recent regulatory actions may affect a lender’s score.
NerdWallet's editorial team selected the mortgage lenders that appear on this page from our highest scoring lenders that offer at least one of the following loan types: Bank statement loan, 1099 loan, asset depletion loan or WVOE loan. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.

What is a non-QM (non-qualified mortgage)?

A non-QM (or non-qualified mortgage) refers to any loan that doesn’t meet the mortgage standards set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Qualified mortgages include loans eligible for purchase by government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, or backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Why this matters: By selling loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, lenders can get that loan off their books and replenish their cash on hand, making their business a little less risky. Similarly, having the backing of government agencies like the FHA, VA or USDA also reduces risk for the lender. VA loans, for example, come with a guarantee of up to 25%, meaning the VA will pay back up to 25% of the loan if the borrower defaults. These safeguards allow lenders to offer favorable rates and fees to borrowers.
But in today’s economy, there’s more than one way to earn an income and demonstrate financial stability. With the right guardrails, some lenders are willing to forfeit the backing from government agencies to issue a loan. These guardrails typically come in the form of higher rates and fees, to counter the lack of government backing.

Types of non-QM products

Because a non-QM loan is a mortgage that doesn’t meet CFPB standards, it can come in many forms — and the names can differ among lenders. In general, most fall into one or more of these three categories.
Note: Depending on the specific mortgage application, some of the below loan types, like jumbo and self-employed loans, can be issued as traditional, qualified mortgages (not non-QM).

Alternative documentation

Here are examples of non-QMs that require alternative documentation to prove financial stability.
  • Bank statement home loan: Uses your bank statements to provide proof of a stable income. 
  • 1099 home loan: Uses 1099 tax forms to calculate income and determine eligibility. 
  • Self-employed home loan: A catch-all term for loans that cater to borrowers who are self-employed — not all self-employed loans are non-QM. You can get a traditionally backed mortgage as a self-employed borrower. 
  • Asset depletion home loan: Uses liquid assets to determine financial stability, and is typically targeted at high-net-worth borrowers. 
  • Written Verification of Employment (WVOE) home loans Verifies income and employment through the employer, which can be helpful for those earning wages that are trickier to document. 
  • Cryptocurrency home loan: Non-QM versions of this loan type allow cryptocurrency to be used as an eligible asset. 
  • Physician home loan: For doctors with higher debt levels due to professional training requirements. 
  • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) home loan: For borrowers who do not have a Social Security number. 
  • Full documentation (full-doc) loan: For borrowers who can prove income in traditional ways, but may not meet other requirements for a qualified loan.  

Alternative credit requirements

Here are examples of non-QMs that have more relaxed credit requirements.
  • “One day out” home loan: Allows a shorter waiting period after bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale to issue a mortgage. 
  • Low credit home loan: Accommodates borrowers with low credit scores. 
  • Foreign national home loan: For non-U.S. citizens buying property in the United States.  

Alternative loan features

Here are examples of non-QMs that offer non-traditional features.
  • Interest-only home loan: Only the interest is charged during a set period of time, usually the first few years. 
  • Jumbo home loan: Covers high-value properties for borrowers who don’t meet requirements for a qualified loan.
  • Non-warrantable condo loan: For condos that do not meet standards that allow for traditional underwriting. 
  • Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) home loan: For real estate investors who need to use potential income as proof of financial stability. 

Is a non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) right for you?

In general, non-QMs are for less common situations like bankruptcy, non-traditional employment, low credit, or having a significant portion of your money wrapped up in assets.
The best way to find out if a non-QM loan is right for you is to shop around — find lenders that offer non-QM products that address your particular need.
Get preapproved with at least three lenders and compare the results. Lenders may assess your entire financial profile and find a qualified mortgage that fits your situation. If not, you’ll have multiple non-QM options to compare.

What the nerds think

Don’t assume you won’t qualify for a traditional mortgage just because you’re self-employed or have low credit. FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and typically allow scores starting at 500. Plus, you can qualify for a traditional mortgage if you're self-employed — talk to a loan officer about how your employment may impact your application.
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Georgia RoseLead Writer & Content Strategist