For Self-Employed Borrowers and Real Estate Investors
From Florida to California, we have alternative lending options
for self-employed and investor borrowers that requires little to no income documentation
As a W-2 employee, your consistent paychecks and verifiable employment make qualifying for a mortgage faster and easier. Discover loan options designed for salaried professionals today!
With over 20 years of mortgage experience, and countless scenarios, our one goal is to provide smarter financing solutions, regardless
of your real estate experience
Low Down Payment Mortgage Plano
A low down payment mortgage in Plano opens homeownership to borrowers who have strong finances but lack the traditional 20% cash reserve-and Horizon Lending Services specializes in making this happen for self-employed professionals, real estate investors, and non-traditional earners across Texas and beyond.
Plano has transformed into one of North Texas's most dynamic residential markets, attracting entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, and young families drawn by the city's thriving job market, excellent schools, and suburban convenience. But the very traits that make Plano attractive-ambitious self-employed residents, relocated business owners, freelancers managing variable income-often create friction with conventional lending. When a bank sees a W-2, the process feels straightforward. When a mortgage lender encounters a business owner, consultant, or investor, the traditional playbook breaks down.
The Problem: Traditional Lending Doesn't Match Plano's Workforce
Sarah runs a successful digital marketing agency in Plano. Her income is solid-better than solid-but it's reported through a business entity, not a paycheck stub. She has substantial savings, excellent credit, and found the perfect home in one of Plano's established neighborhoods. But when she approached conventional lenders, she hit a wall. They wanted two years of personal tax returns showing 1099 income, deductions that reduced her reportable earnings, and documentation that felt excessive for someone who clearly had the means to buy.
Sarah's situation is common in Plano. The city's economy runs on entrepreneurship. Self-employed borrowers, real estate investors managing multiple properties, and business owners often earn well but don't fit the standard mortgage profile. A low down payment mortgage in Plano becomes difficult precisely for the people who can most afford a home-because lenders apply rigid rules designed for salaried employees.
The tension is real: Plano borrowers have capital and stability, but banks won't lend without documentation that barely exists for their income type. A conventional mortgage lender sees risk where there is none.
How Horizon Lending Services Approaches Non-Traditional Income
Horizon Lending Services brought Sarah a different process. Rather than demand personal tax returns that conflate business deductions with personal earning capacity, they used a bank statement loan structure-a method that examines actual deposits into a business or personal account over a recent period, giving a clearer picture of available funds than tax paperwork alone.
Because Sarah's agency deposits revenue consistently, her bank statements told the real story: she had reliable cash flow, sufficient reserves, and the financial stability to carry a mortgage. Horizon worked with her to structure a loan that required substantially less down payment than a traditional 20%, using alternative underwriting designed specifically for borrowers whose income falls outside conventional categories.
The approach hinges on flexibility. Horizon's mortgage broker team understands that self-employed income, investment property cash flow, asset-based lending, and 1099 earnings are legitimate and often more stable than they appear on tax forms. Rather than force-fit Sarah into a conventional mold, they matched her to a loan product designed for her actual situation.
For real estate investors in Plano managing rental properties, Horizon offers DSCR loans-financing based on the property's debt service coverage ratio rather than the borrower's personal income. For high-net-worth individuals seeking jumbo financing up to five million dollars, they provide streamlined underwriting that respects both the borrower's sophistication and their need for speed. For veterans in Plano, VA loans eliminate down payments entirely. Each solution removes unnecessary friction.
The Outcome: Homeownership on Terms That Match Reality
Sarah closed her purchase within six weeks. She put down 10 percent instead of 20, keeping over fifty thousand dollars in her business operating account where it belonged. Her mortgage terms were competitive with what traditional lenders would have offered-had they been willing to lend at all. She avoided the trap of forced early payoff or balloon structures that some alternative lenders use to compensate for perceived risk.
More importantly, the entire process felt aligned with her actual financial situation rather than engineered around arbitrary rules. Sarah's income was real. Her savings were real. Her credit was strong. The loan product reflected that reality.
This outcome plays out repeatedly across Plano. A consultant who invoices clients directly qualifies for a mortgage without proving two years of consistent W-2 income. A couple operating an e-commerce business can purchase investment property using the business's cash flow as the qualifying metric. A freelancer with irregular monthly income but substantial assets can access financing that accounts for their actual liquidity rather than penalizing income variability.
Why Traditional Mortgage Lenders Miss Plano's Market
Conventional banks operate on scale and standardization. A mortgage lender evaluates thousands of applications against identical criteria. It works well for identical borrowers-but Plano's economy doesn't produce identical borrowers. When someone doesn't fit, traditional mortgage companies don't adapt; they decline or impose punitive terms.
Horizon Lending Services operates differently. With over twenty years of mortgage experience serving self-employed professionals, non-QM borrowers, and investors, they've developed underwriting expertise that standard mortgage companies don't maintain. They read business bank statements the way conventional lenders read W-2s. They understand DSCR calculations. They know how to structure asset-based loans for high-net-worth borrowers. They've built their entire operation around serving the borrowers that traditional mortgage lenders treat as exceptions.
This specialization matters in Plano, where conventional mortgage criteria would exclude many of the city's most financially stable residents.
Moving Forward: Your Low Down Payment Mortgage in Plano
If you're self-employed in Plano, manage real estate investments, operate a business, or earn income that doesn't match the W-2 template, a low down payment mortgage is accessible-but you need a mortgage broker and lender willing to look past surface-level documentation. Horizon Lending Services brings that capability directly to Plano borrowers, along with service coverage across Texas, California, Florida, and beyond.
Whether you're looking at a primary residence in one of Plano's established neighborhoods, an investment property to add to your portfolio, or a jumbo purchase beyond conventional limits, alternative lending solutions exist specifically for your situation. The question isn't whether you qualify; it's whether you're working with a mortgage company that understands how to evaluate your actual financial picture.
Reach out to Horizon Lending Services to discuss your financing options. A conversation with their mortgage experts will clarify which loan program matches your income type, down payment capacity, and timeline-and whether you're in a position to move forward sooner than you expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bank statement loan, and how does it differ from a traditional mortgage?
A bank statement loan qualifies borrowers based on actual deposits into their business or personal accounts over a recent period (typically 12-24 months) rather than tax returns or W-2 income. This method works well for self-employed borrowers, 1099 contractors, and business owners whose tax-reported income understates their actual cash flow due to business deductions. Horizon Lending Services uses bank statements to show real earning capacity without forcing applicants to prove income through conventional documentation.
How much down payment do I need for a low down payment mortgage in Plano?
Down payment requirements vary by loan program and your financial profile, but many borrowers qualify with 5-15% down through alternative lending structures. This is substantially lower than the conventional 20% standard. Horizon Lending Services works with you to determine the minimum down payment aligned with your specific situation, income type, and the property you're purchasing.
Are there mortgage options in Plano for self-employed borrowers?
Yes. Horizon Lending Services specializes in financing for self-employed professionals through bank statement loans, asset-based loans, and non-QM programs that don't require conventional income documentation. These options are designed specifically for consultants, business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs whose income doesn't fit traditional lending criteria.
What is a DSCR loan, and who should consider one?
A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan is an investment property mortgage based on the property's rental income and operating expenses rather than the borrower's personal income. This makes it ideal for real estate investors in Plano managing multiple properties, particularly when personal income documentation is complex or when you want to qualify based purely on property performance. Horizon Lending Services uses DSCR financing to help investors expand their portfolios.
Can I get jumbo financing in Plano for a high-value purchase?
Yes. Horizon Lending Services offers jumbo loans up to five million dollars with streamlined underwriting designed for high-net-worth borrowers. Jumbo financing in Plano works with the same alternative documentation options available for standard loans, giving sophisticated buyers flexibility and speed in the underwriting process.
Do VA loans require a down payment in Plano?
No. VA loans available through Horizon Lending Services typically allow eligible veterans to purchase homes in Plano with zero down payment. Veterans benefit from specialized underwriting, competitive rates, and flexible qualification criteria designed to honor military service and recognize the stability of VA-backed borrowers.
DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio)
Maximize your portfolio potential with Non-QM loans designed for first time or savvy investors; no tax returns, just smart financing.
Self Employed
Our Self-Employed Non-QM Loans are designed for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners who don’t fit the traditional lending mold. Qualify using bank statements, 1099s, a P&L or asset-based income. No Tax Returns or W2’s Required! 1 Year Self-Employed History Allowed!
VA
With a VA home loan, eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses can buy or refinance with zero down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates. Whether you’re purchasing your first home or refinancing, we make the process simple, fast, and tailored to your service.
Jumbo Loans
Unlock high-value properties with creative jumbo loan solutions up to $5 million; perfect for self-employed borrowers, luxury homebuyers, and investors with unique income streams. We go beyond the traditional box to deliver flexible financing that fits your vision.
First Time Buyer
Whether you’re eyeing an FHA loan with low down payment options or a Conventional loan with competitive rates, we help first-time home buyers navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Get expert guidance, flexible financing, and personalized support every step of the way.
Cash-Out Refinance
Consolidate high-interest debt into one low monthly payment; using the equity you’ve already built. Pay off credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills, update your home, and regain control of your finances with a streamlined, cost-effective solution backed by competitive conventional rates.
We can’t thank Scott Simmons enough for all his help during both our original purchase of our home, as well as our recent refinancing. Scott was able to get us an incredible rate and was extremely detailed and explanatory the entire way. We, of course, had rookie questions being first-time home buyers, but he made himself available to answer and explain any of our questions and made helpful suggestions, as well as great advice given our individual situation. I highly recommend Scott for your mortgage needs!
Sarah Lati
Marcus and HLS went above and beyond the call of duty to get a loan processed in record time and a “clear to close” on Christmas Eve! Highly recommend!!!
David Holmes
Have always had a great experience with Horizon Lending Services. Scott and his team are the BEST! They helped us in 2021 with a refinance of our first home. Then this year they helped us with getting a loan for our property! Scott was patient and always willing to go over everything multiple times to ensure we understood everything. Kept us updated on status’ as well as just to check in.
Samantha Mellott
Just recently had the experience of working with Marcus on a loan for an investment property. Not only did he help me find the lowest cost strategy to purchase the property, he kept me updated, helped jumped through the various hurdles that came up to make sure we didn’t have any delays and the purchase was as smooth as possible. Marcus is an incredible lender and is my go to for any and all loan questions or needs