Self-Employed in Ottawa? Get the Mortgage You Deserve.
Don't let tax write-offs hold you back. We specialize in mortgages for business owners, contractors, and freelancers who show less on paper but earn more in reality.
Smart Lending for Entrepreneurs
Traditional banks are stuck in the past. They look at "Line 15000" on your tax return and decline you because you were smart enough to use legal write-offs to reduce your taxes.
Our Self-Employed Mortgage programs in Ottawa are different. We analyze your cash flow, business bank statements, and add-backs to calculate your true income. We believe being your own boss should be rewarded, not penalized.
Get Qualified NowWho We Help
We help Ottawa's gig economy, small business owners, and professionals buy homes.
Low Taxable Income
Did you write off expenses to lower your taxes? Banks see "low income." We see "smart business" and lend based on your real revenue.
New Businesses
In business for less than 2 years? Most banks say come back later. We have lenders who accept 6-12 months of strong bank statements.
Declined by Big Banks
If TD, RBC, or Scotiabank said no because you don't fit their rigid "box," our network of B-lenders and private lenders says yes.
What is a Self-Employed Mortgage?
For many Ottawa business owners, proving income is the hardest part of buying a home. A Self-Employed Mortgage (often called "Business for Self" or BFS) is a tailored loan product designed to look beyond the standard tax return.
While traditional mortgages require T4s and a high taxable income, our solutions utilize "Stated Income" or "Alternative Lending" guidelines. This means lenders look at your business bank statements, contracts, or invoices to determine your ability to pay.
Our programs are perfect for:
- Sole Proprietors and Incorporated Business Owners.
- IT Consultants and Independent Contractors in Ottawa's tech sector.
- Commission-based Sales Professionals.
- A 12-month interest-only term to give you breathing room.
- Tradespeople with high expense write-offs.
We work with lenders who understand that your net income on paper doesn't always reflect the real money in your pocket.
Why Choose Our BFS Solutions?
We offer flexibility that the big banks simply cannot match.
⚡ High Approval Rates
We specialize in self-employed files. We know exactly how to present your business case to get an approval.
🛡️ Keep Your Write-offs
Don't pay more taxes just to qualify for a mortgage. Keep your tax strategy efficient and let us handle the lending.
🤝 Flexible Proof
We can use 6-12 months of bank statements or business contracts instead of 2 years of NOAs/T1 Generals.
📉 Competitive Rates
Access "A" lender rates through insurers (CMHC/Sagen) or competitive "Alt-A" rates depending on your profile.
🗓️ Custom Terms
Whether you need a short-term bridge while your business grows or a standard 5-year term, we have options.
🇨🇦 Ottawa Local
We understand the local economy, from Kanata tech consultants to Orleans contractors.
How It Works
A simple process tailored to busy entrepreneurs.
Consultation
Tell us about your business structure (Sole Prop vs Corp) and your approximate annual revenue.
Cash Flow Review
We review your business bank statements to determine your "real" income capability.
Lender Selection
We match you with the right lender (Bank, Credit Union, or B-Lender) based on your unique profile.
Approval & Fund
We secure the commitment, handle the paperwork, and get you funded so you can focus on your business.
Eligibility Requirements
Owning a business makes you a great candidate, not a risk.
- ✅ Must be self-employed for at least 6 months (2 years typically required for best rates).
- ✅ Documentation: Articles of Incorporation, GST/HST returns, or business license.
- ✅ Clean credit history helps, but options exist for bruised credit.
- ✅ Down payment of 10% to 20% is typically required for stated income programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Ottawa business owners.
Why do banks decline self-employed people?
Banks rely on "Line 15000" of your tax return. Since business owners legally write off expenses (car, home office, meals) to lower taxes, their "Line 15000" looks low, making them appear unable to afford a mortgage according to bank formulas.
What is a "Stated Income" mortgage?
A Stated Income mortgage allows you to declare your income based on the health of your business rather than just your tax return. Lenders verify this reasonableness by looking at your industry and revenue, rather than strict tax documents.
Are interest rates higher for self-employed?
Not necessarily. If you have strong credit and 2 years of history, you can often qualify for "A" rates. If we use "Stated Income" programs or B-lenders to bypass tax returns, rates may be 1-2% higher than standard bank rates.
Do I need 2 years of business history?
Ideally, yes. However, if you have been in the same industry for a long time and recently switched to self-employed (e.g., an IT professional switching to contract), we can often get you approved with less than 2 years of history.
What documents do I need?
Typically, we need your Articles of Incorporation (or Master Business License), 6-12 months of business bank statements, and your most recent Notice of Assessment (to prove no taxes are owing).
Can I refinance my home to invest in my business?
Absolutely. Many of our clients use a home equity take-out (refinance) to access cheap capital to buy equipment, expand their business, or smooth out cash flow.
Do you help with Dividend income?
Yes. We can gross up your dividend income to reflect the pre-tax corporate earnings, which significantly increases your borrowing power compared to what a standard bank teller would calculate.
Your Business Success Should Buy You a Home.
Stop hearing "No" from the bank. Let us present your business case the right way and get you approved.