Non-QM loans create lending opportunities for non-traditional borrowers. This can include:

• Retirees
• Real estate investors
• Self-employed or “gig” workers
• Borrowers with a high debt-to-income ratio
• Borrowers with blemishes on their credit history

So if you are not qualified for a traditional loan, you may still be able to purchase your dream home by using a non-QM loan.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) maintains standards for determining a borrower’s ability to repay a home loan. Lenders typically determine if you meet the requirements by looking at documents such as:

• W-2s
• Bank statements
• Pay stubs
• Tax returns

Non-QM loans allow for alternative income documentation outside of these typical items

Non-QM loans cannot be purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. They also can’t be backed by government agencies such as the Federal Housing Administration or USDA. Thus, the lender takes on all the risk when issuing the loan.

To cover this risk, they commonly assess higher interest rates as compared to conventional mortgages, which can increase your monthly premiums.

Some non-QM loans come with loan periods that exceed 30 years. This keeps you locked into a mortgage for a longer period and can also increase the total amount you pay for your home.

The exact criteria for qualifying can vary by lender, but a non-QM loan will offer greater flexibility than traditional loans.

Credit History

You can meet the requirements for a non-QM loan even if your credit score is fair or even poor. Most non-QM loans are available for borrowers with a credit score of 620, while some non-QM programs open the door to borrowers with credit scores as low as 580 or even 500.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

For a traditional loan, your lender will typically expect you to have a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or lower. But non-QM loans are available even to those whose debt-to-income ratio is 50% or even higher — providing loan options to those whose debts might otherwise disqualify them from homeownership.

Non-QM loans come in many forms. Here are some of the most common types of non-QM loans.

Bank Statement Loans

Some lenders provide non-QM loans only by reviewing your bank statements. This often requires 12 months of past bank statements. However, some lenders can offer loan options with as little as two months’ worth of statements.

Investor Cash-Flow Loan

With an investor cash flow loan, the borrower is able to sidestep the need to submit income statements and tax returns. With this product the rental income of a property is solely used to qualify for the loan. This provides an outlet for investors to use the property itself to help cover the cost of the loan.

Asset Depletion Loans

Asset depletion loans allow you to use other liquid assets to secure a mortgage without having to rely on your day-to-day income. Basically, you’re using your other assets as a type of collateral. Lenders will approve the loan under the assumption that they may seize your checking account, investment accounts, or other assets to repay the loan.

Recent Credit Event Loans

Have you experienced a recent credit event, such as a foreclosure or bankruptcy? If so, you can still qualify for a non-QM mortgage through a recent credit event loan. Be advised that the loan terms may not be ideal, especially if the credit event has been very recent. But these programs still provide opportunities for those who have experienced a period of financial hardship.