A Non QM, or Non Qualified Mortgage, is a home loan that does not follow standard conventional or government guidelines and instead uses alternative ways to document income or evaluate risk. Whether you are self employed, have complex income sources or need alternative loan terms, a Non QM loan can offer financing that a traditional mortgage may not.
Flexible ways to show incomeBank statements, assets or rental cash flow
Non QM Loans at a Glance
10 to 20%
Typical starting down payment
12 to 24
Months of statements on bank statement loans
DSCR
Investor option using property cash flow
Non QM Basics
Understanding Non QM Loans
What Are Non QM Loans?
Non QM, short for Non Qualified Mortgage, refers to loans that do not follow standard conventional or government guidelines. Instead, they may use alternative ways to document income or evaluate risk, which can help borrowers whose finances do not fit traditional boxes. Non QM does not mean bad credit or subprime. It usually means your situation needs a more flexible approach.
Who Can Benefit from a Non QM Loan?
Non QM loans may be a good fit for self employed borrowers with large write offs, commission based earners, owners of multiple businesses, high net worth clients, real estate investors and borrowers with recent credit events. They can also help when your income is strong but difficult to document using tax returns alone.
How Do Non QM Loans Work?
Qualification depends on the program and lender. Some Non QM options use bank statements, profit and loss documentation, asset based qualification or investment property cash flow to show your ability to repay. Because guidelines vary, we focus on matching you to the simplest path that supports approval and fair pricing.
What Are the Common Non QM Options?
Depending on what is available, Non QM may include bank statement loans, DSCR investor loans, interest only options, asset depletion programs and other flexible documentation solutions. Each has different down payment, reserve and credit expectations, so we compare the tradeoffs clearly and help you choose the right one.
What Documents Are Typically Needed?
Non QM documentation may include bank statements, proof of assets and reserves, ID and credit authorization, plus items based on the program, such as a profit and loss statement or rental documentation. Clean statements and a clear paper trail often make the biggest difference in how smoothly your file moves.
Is a Non QM Loan Right for You?
It depends on your income documentation, credit profile and timeline. If a traditional loan is available and cheaper, we will show you that path. If Non QM is the better fit right now, we structure it carefully and plan for future options, such as refinancing when your profile supports it.
These products may have a higher interest rate, more points or more fees than other products requiring documentation.
Why ARBOR
Why Choose ARBOR Financial Group for Your Non QM Loan
Non QM financing may help you qualify when traditional guidelines fall short, especially with self employed income, write offs or complex financial structures. The right program can reduce friction, support approval and keep your timeline moving.
We review pricing and long term strategy carefully, compare the tradeoffs of each option clearly and show you a traditional loan instead whenever one is available and cheaper.
Ready to find your path? Talk with ARBOR about your Non QM loan options today.
Answers to common questions about when Non QM makes sense, how qualification works, which documents you need and how to choose the right option without overpaying.
Still have questions?
Talk with a licensed ARBOR loan originator about your Non QM loan options.
A Non QM loan is a mortgage that does not follow standard conventional or government loan guidelines and instead uses alternative methods to qualify income or risk. Non QM does not mean bad credit or subprime. It usually means your income, assets or property type needs a more flexible approach than a traditional loan allows.
Who are Non QM loans best for?
Non QM loans are often best for self employed borrowers, high net worth clients, real estate investors or anyone with complex income that traditional underwriting cannot document cleanly. If your tax returns show heavy write offs, your income is seasonal or you have multiple businesses, Non QM can offer an approval path that matches your real cash flow.
How do you qualify for a Non QM loan?
You qualify by proving your ability to repay with a method that fits your situation, such as bank statements, asset based qualification, DSCR cash flow or other documentation instead of standard tax return income. We choose the method that is simplest, most defensible and most cost effective for you.
Are Non QM interest rates higher?
Non QM rates are often higher than traditional conventional loans because the guidelines are more flexible, but pricing varies widely by lender and scenario. The right strategy can narrow the gap, for example improving your credit, adjusting the down payment, documenting stronger reserves or choosing a different Non QM structure.
How much down payment do you need for a Non QM loan?
Non QM down payment requirements vary, but many programs start around 10% to 20% down, with higher requirements for certain scenarios. Your down payment can influence approval strength and pricing, so we balance it against keeping enough reserves and not stretching your cash flow.
What documents do I need for a Non QM loan?
It depends on the program, but common items include bank statements, ID, credit authorization, proof of assets and reserves, and sometimes a business overview. If you are using bank statements, we focus on clean deposits, consistency and clear separation between business and personal accounts when possible.
What is a bank statement mortgage?
A bank statement mortgage is a Non QM option that may qualify you using 12 to 24 months of bank statement deposits rather than tax return income. It is often used when write offs reduce taxable income even though the business has strong cash flow, and we explain how lenders calculate qualifying income from your statements.
Can I get a Non QM loan with recent credit issues?
Sometimes, yes. Some Non QM programs allow more flexibility with credit events, but requirements depend on the lender and how recent the issue was. The focus shifts to your full risk picture: your current payment behavior, down payment, reserves and whether your story is documented clearly.
Can Non QM loans be used for investment properties?
Yes. Many Non QM programs support investment properties, and some qualify you based on the property's cash flow rather than your personal income. For investors, the key questions are the required down payment, reserves, rental documentation and whether the program uses a DSCR style approval.
What is the first step to see if a Non QM loan is right for me?
The first step is a strategy review to choose the best qualification method, followed by a preapproval plan based on your documents, goals and timeline. If a traditional loan is possible, we will compare it. If Non QM fits better right now, we structure it carefully and plan for future options, including refinancing when it benefits you.
Find a Loan That Fits Your Real Financial Picture
See whether a Non QM loan is the right path for your income, assets and goals. Compare your options online, or talk with a licensed ARBOR loan originator today.
*Important notice: By refinancing your existing loan, your total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan. The content provided within this website is presented for information purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Information and/or dates are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply. ARBOR Financial Group is not affiliated with an agency of the federal government, HUD or FHA. THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT. HUD or FHA did not distribute or approve this material.
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