Why Self-Employed Buyers Choose Rich Bonn

December 12, 2025•5 min read

What Mortgage Loans Are Best for Self-Employed People?

And Why Rich Bonn Helps Buyers Choose the Right One

If you’re self-employed and trying to figure out which mortgage loan is best for you, you’ve probably discovered something frustrating: the answer isn’t obvious, and most lenders don’t explain it very well.

You’ll hear generic advice like “you need two years of tax returns” or “your income doesn’t qualify,” even when your business is healthy and your bank accounts tell a very different story.

The truth is, there are excellent mortgage options for self-employed people.
You just need a lender who knows how to match the right loan to the way you actually earn.

That’s where Rich Bonn comes in.

The Real Challenge for Self-Employed Borrowers

Self-employed buyers don’t struggle because they earn less. They struggle because they earn differently.

Business owners, freelancers, consultants, and 1099 earners often use smart tax strategies like deductions, depreciation, and reinvestment. Those moves lower taxable income on paper, but they don’t reflect real cash flow.

Traditional lenders focus almost entirely on tax returns. When those numbers look low, the conversation stops.

Self-employed buyers are left asking:

“What mortgage options do I actually have?”
“Is there a loan that works with my real income?”
“Why does every lender give me a different answer?”

Meet Rich Bonn, Houston Mortgage Broker for Self-Employed Buyers

Rich Bonn is a Houston-based mortgage broker with over 30 years of experience and the founder of Habayit Home Loans. He specializes in helping self-employed and non-traditional income borrowers navigate mortgage options that most lenders either don’t understand or don’t explain well.

Rich is also the author of How to Get a Mortgage When Your Tax Return Says No, a book written specifically for business owners who make good money but keep running into mortgage roadblocks.

Instead of starting with a loan program, Rich starts with you.

The Best Mortgage Loan Options for Self-Employed People

There is no single “best” loan for self-employed borrowers. The right option depends on how you earn, how your income flows, and what your long-term goals are.

Here are some of the most common and effective options Rich uses, depending on the situation.

Traditional Conventional, FHA, or VA Loans

For some self-employed borrowers, traditional loans still work, especially when tax returns show consistent income or when there are strong compensating factors.

Rich helps determine when a traditional loan makes sense and when it doesn’t, before time is wasted.

Bank Statement Loans

One of the most popular options for self-employed buyers, bank statement loans allow income to be calculated using personal or business bank deposits instead of tax returns.

These loans are ideal when cash flow is strong but taxable income is reduced by deductions.

Profit & Loss (P&L) Loans

For business owners with clean bookkeeping and consistent operations, P&L loans can be a great solution. They rely on accountant-prepared financials rather than full tax returns.

1099 Income Loans

Commissioned and contract workers often qualify using 1099 income, even when tax returns don’t tell the full story.

Asset-Based and Asset Depletion Loans

For borrowers with significant assets, some loans allow qualification based on assets rather than income. This can be ideal for entrepreneurs, investors, or buyers between income cycles.

DSCR Loans for Investors

Self-employed real estate investors may qualify based on property cash flow instead of personal income.

The key isn’t knowing about these loans.
The key is knowing when to use which one.

Why Choosing the Right Lender Matters More Than the Loan

Many lenders advertise these programs. Far fewer know how to:

Evaluate self-employed income properly
Choose the best option instead of the easiest
Explain tradeoffs clearly
Structure files to avoid underwriting surprises

This is where experience makes a difference.

Rich doesn’t push a program. He explains the options, the pros and cons, and helps you make an informed decision that fits your life, not just a guideline.

A Simple, Clear Process for Self-Employed Buyers

Rich’s approach is straightforward.

First, he has a real conversation about your business, your income patterns, and your goals. Then he outlines which mortgage options make sense and why. From there, he guides you through the process so expectations are clear long before closing.

The same philosophy shows up in his book, How to Get a Mortgage When Your Tax Return Says No, which breaks down complex self-employed lending concepts in plain English.

What Happens When the Right Loan Is Chosen

When self-employed buyers are matched with the right mortgage option, they typically experience:

Fewer underwriting issues
Less document back-and-forth
Clear expectations from the start
A smoother, less stressful closing

Most importantly, they feel confident instead of confused.

Why Self-Employed Buyers Choose Rich Bonn

Clients often say:

“He understood my business.”
“He explained the options clearly.”
“I finally knew which loan made sense.”

Rich works extensively with buyers in Inner Loop Houston and Southwest Houston, but helps self-employed borrowers across Texas who need clarity, not canned answers.