Non-QM Loans · NC & SC · All Borrower Types

Traditional lenders
said no. Let's talk.

Non-QM doesn't mean risky — it means your financial picture doesn't fit a box. Self-employed, retired, ITIN, DACA, 1099, asset-rich, slim credit. There's a program for you.

What is Non-QM?

Not subprime.
Alternative documentation.

Non-QM loans don't follow the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's "qualified mortgage" framework — which was designed around W-2 employees. They use alternative ways to verify your ability to repay: bank deposits, assets, 1099s, ITIN, or non-traditional credit history.

These are not loans of last resort. They are purpose-built programs for borrowers whose financial strength simply shows up differently than a pay stub. Rates are typically 0.5–2% above conventional, and underwriting still confirms you can repay — just via a different picture.

Programs available

Eight programs. One broker
who knows which one fits.

Self-Employed

Bank Statement Loan

12 or 24 months of personal or business bank deposits used as income — no tax returns required. Designed for business owners whose write-offs reduce taxable income but whose actual cash flow is strong. Personal or business statements accepted.

Best for: Business owners, entrepreneurs, LLCs

Retirees & High-Net-Worth

Asset Depletion / Asset-Based Loan

Your verified liquid assets — brokerage, IRA, 401(k), savings — are converted into monthly qualifying income without liquidation. Every $500K in eligible assets can generate approximately $4,000–$8,000/month in qualifying income depending on the program's depletion period.

Best for: Retirees, investors, portfolio income buyers

Contractors & Freelancers

1099 Loan

Qualify using one or two years of 1099 forms plus verification of self-employment. No W-2s, no tax returns. Recognizes that independent contractors and gig workers have real income that a conventional return often understates after deductions.

Best for: Independent contractors, consultants, gig workers

Recent Income Change

1-Year Full Documentation

Qualify using just one year of tax returns or W-2s instead of the standard two. Ideal if you recently changed careers, took on a higher-paying role, or started a business and your most recent year of income is significantly stronger than the year before.

Best for: Career changers, recent business starters

ITIN Borrowers

ITIN Mortgage

Home loans for borrowers who have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number but no Social Security number. Available in NC and SC. Typically requires 20–30% down, documented income, and demonstrated payment history. Homeownership is accessible — you don't need a SSN.

Best for: Non-citizen buyers, foreign nationals with US ITIN

DACA Recipients

DACA / Work Authorization Loan

DACA recipients with valid work authorization can qualify for conventional, FHA, and select non-QM programs in NC and SC. Not all lenders accept DACA borrowers — working with a broker who knows which ones do is the difference between a no and a closing.

Best for: DACA recipients, work-authorized borrowers

No or Slim Credit

Non-Traditional Credit

No credit score? Thin file? Alternative credit programs use rent payment history, utility bills, insurance premiums, and phone payments to build a qualifying credit profile. Financial responsibility doesn't only appear on a credit report — and this program recognizes that.

Best for: First-time buyers with no credit, new-to-credit borrowers

Investment Properties

DSCR Loan

Qualify on the property's rental income — not your personal income. No W-2s, no tax returns, no DTI calculation. Ideal for real estate investors expanding portfolios across Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, Greenville, and Upstate SC markets.

Best for: Real estate investors, short-term rental owners

Who these programs serve

If your income looks
unconventional on paper — you're in the right place.

The Business Owner

Strong revenue, healthy cash flow — but tax returns show low net income after deductions. Bank statement loan reads the actual deposits.

The Retiree

Significant investment portfolio and retirement accounts, but limited monthly W-2 or pension income. Asset depletion converts wealth into qualifying income.

The 1099 Worker

Consistent income from contracts and clients, but tax returns understate it after deductions. 1099 loans and bank statements both work here.

The ITIN Holder

US taxpayer, paying taxes, building life here — but no Social Security number. ITIN programs make homeownership accessible.

The DACA Recipient

Valid work authorization, income, and roots in this country. The right lender will say yes — I know which ones they are.

The Career Changer

New role, higher income, but only one year to show for it. 1-year full doc lets your current earnings speak for themselves.

No Credit / Slim File

Never had a credit card or car loan? Alternative credit programs use rent and utility history to establish your track record.

The Real Estate Investor

Qualifying on personal income limits your portfolio. DSCR loans let the property do the qualifying — scale without the income ceiling.

Eligible assets typically include: checking/savings (100%), investment accounts (70%), retirement accounts 59½+ (70%). Programs and divisors vary by lender. This is an illustration, not a guarantee.

Common Questions

Plain answers to
complex situations.

Non-QM lending has a lot of nuance. These are the questions I hear most — answered without jargon.

No — and this is the most important distinction. Non-QM means alternative documentation, not high-risk borrowing. The lender still verifies your ability to repay — just via bank deposits, assets, or 1099s instead of W-2s. Most non-QM borrowers have strong credit and solid finances. The loan is non-QM because of how income is documented, not because the borrower is risky.
Yes. Bank statement loans use 12 or 24 months of deposits to calculate qualifying income. Lenders typically apply an expense ratio to business accounts (usually 50% for business statements, 100% for personal). This is a game-changer for business owners who write off significant expenses and show low taxable income despite strong cash flow.
Yes. ITIN programs are available for buyers who pay US taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number but don't have a Social Security number. DACA recipients with valid work authorization can access conventional, FHA, and non-QM programs. The key is working with a broker who has lenders that accept both — not all do, but many do.
Typically 0.5% to 2% above conventional rates, depending on the program, LTV, credit score, and loan amount. A strong credit profile, larger down payment, and significant reserves all improve your pricing. For many non-QM borrowers, the rate premium is a fair trade for access to a loan that otherwise wouldn't exist.
Most non-QM programs require a minimum 620–640 FICO. A 700+ score unlocks materially better pricing. For no-credit or slim-credit programs, the lender builds an alternative credit profile from rent and utility history — a credit score isn't required, but strong payment history in those accounts matters significantly.
It varies by program. Bank statement loans typically require 10–20% down. Asset depletion and ITIN programs often require 20–25%. DSCR loans for investors typically require 20–25%. A larger down payment generally improves your rate and increases approval likelihood across all non-QM programs.

"100+ lenders means there are 100+ different answers to the question 'can I qualify?' Let's find yours."

Loan Officer Chels · NC & SC · NMLS# 2741400

"100+ lenders means there are 100+ different answers to the question 'can I qualify?' Let's find yours."

Loan Officer Chels · NC & SC · NMLS# 2741400

Get started

Tell me your situation.
I'll find the right program.

No pressure, no commitment. Just a conversation about what's possible.

Your info is private. I'll follow up within one business day to talk through your options.

Why work with a broker

100+ lenders means
100+ ways to say yes.

A single bank has one set of programs. When they say no, the conversation is over. As a broker, I shop your file across a network of 100+ lenders — each with different guidelines for non-QM programs. What one lender won't touch, another may be built for. That's the broker advantage.

Book a Free 30-Min Call
Chelsea Reeder, Mortgage Broker

Chelsea Reeder | NMLS# 2741400 | Motto Mortgage Community Solutions | NMLS# 2629349 | Licensed in NC & SC | Equal Housing Lender ■ This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend. All loan applications are subject to underwriting approval. Rates, program terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Individual savings, rates, and results will vary. Subject to satisfactory property appraisal, title search, and other conditions. This site is for informational purposes only. Non-QM loans are not government-backed loans. Programs, rates, and eligibility subject to change. Not all borrowers will qualify.