If you’re self-employed, chances are you’ve heard this rumor whispered like an unchangeable law of physics:

“Because you own a business, you’re going to need a huge down payment.”

Let’s clear that up—calmly, factually, and without the mortgage-industry drama.

The truth is simpler and far more encouraging: most self-employed buyers do not need a massive down payment. In many cases, the required down payment is shockingly close to what traditional W-2 borrowers put down.

The Real Issue Isn’t Self-Employment — It’s Risk

Here’s the part that rarely gets explained clearly.

Lenders aren’t reacting to the fact that you’re a business owner. They’re reacting to risk.

Risk isn’t personal. It’s mathematical.

When a loan program can clearly understand your income—whether through:

• bank statements

• 1099 income

• profit & loss statements

…the perceived risk goes down. And when risk goes down, so does the required down payment.

This is why some self-employed borrowers are surprised to learn that 10% down payment options can be available, depending on how their income is documented and which program fits their financial structure.

You’re Not Being “Punished” for Owning a Business

This is an important mindset shift.

You’re not being penalized for entrepreneurship. You’re not in a timeout corner because you didn’t get a W-2.

What does matter is whether the loan program matches how your income actually works in real life. When the program and your financial structure align, everything becomes smoother—documentation, approval, and yes, down payment expectations.

That alignment is exactly where most confusion—and bad advice—comes from.

Ignore the Rumors. Calculate Your Number.

The mortgage rumor mill loves big, scary numbers.
Reality prefers math.

If you want to know your actual down payment target—not what your cousin’s friend needed three years ago—the smartest move is to calculate it properly, based on your income style and your situation.

That’s not pressure. That’s clarity.

Why This Is Where Rich Bonn Makes the Difference

This is exactly the kind of scenario where working with someone who understands non-traditional income structures matters.

At Habayit Home Loans, the focus isn’t on forcing business owners into the wrong box. It’s about:

• matching the right program to the right income style

• reducing unnecessary risk flags

• and helping self-employed buyers move forward with confidence instead of confusion

No lectures. No punishment. Just accurate guidance.

Final Thought

Being self-employed doesn’t mean bigger obstacles.
It just means you need the right lens on your financial picture.

When risk is understood correctly, the path forward often looks a lot more reasonable than the rumors suggest.

Contact Information

Rich Bonn
Habayit Home Loans
📞 281.841.1723
📍 4660 Beechnut St, Ste 225, Houston, TX 77096