Conventional lending built the industry, but it no longer defines it. There’s a growing chorus of qualified buyers, creditworthy and capable, getting shut out by the rigid standards of traditional lenders.
They’re the freelancers, the crypto investors, the entrepreneurs, and the foreign nationals, each building their wealth in a unique financial landscape, and Non-QM (Non-Qualified Mortgage) lending is designed to meet them there.
Instead of lending based on traditional income sources, we welcome brokers to use bank statements, asset statements, rental income, foreign documentation, and digital assets to get a complete assessment of their client’s finances.
For brokers, Non-QM Mortgages represent an opportunity. While conventional loans remain competitive, brokers now have the ability to serve millions of qualified buyers who simply don’t fit traditional lending criteria.
The Future is Non-QM
Traditional lending assumes everyone works traditionally. Yet today, there are approximately 16.75 million self-employed workers now, that’s about 10% of the workforce.
At the same time, BatchData’s Q2 2025 Investor Pulse Report shows investors making 33% of all home purchases. As lenders we must adjust with the tide of the consumers.
The consequences have been visible in Optimal Blue’s Market Advantage report, where non-conforming loans, including Non-QM products, climbed to 16.8% of total volume by July 2025, with Non-QM loans specifically reaching a record 8.0% share, up from approximately 5.21% in July 2024.
The most exciting part? Industry analysts predict Non-QM loans could comprise nearly 30% of non-agency mortgage-backed securities in 2025. This is a signal that the market is shifting toward flexibility and real-world financial understanding.
Why This Is Happening Now
Three significant changes converged to create this moment.
The self-employment economy has reached critical mass. Traditional lenders often have difficulty seeing beyond your tax return, but that return doesn’t tell the whole story for business owners who legitimately write off expenses.
Real estate investors dominate buying activity., Investors are making one in three real estate purchases. Traditional lenders still want to see personal income for investment properties, which made sense when investors bought one rental. It makes much less sense when someone’s building a portfolio of properties that generate their own income.
Banks pulled back from residential lending. They reduced offerings, especially for larger loans and specialized properties. That pullback created space for Non-QM solutions and margin opportunities for brokers who partner with lenders like LendSure instead of competing solely on conventional rates.
Non-QM Solutions for Every Broker
Bank Statement Loans
Bank statement loans let self-employed borrowers qualify using 12 or 24 months of bank statements. The lender evaluates the income and applies an expense ratio to calculate qualifying income—it’s that straightforward.
These loans work beautifully for:
- Business owners who maximize tax write-offs
- Freelancers with variable income streams
- Anyone whose CPA is doing their job correctly, which often means their tax returns look less favorable for mortgage purposes
LendSure offers up to 90% LTV and loans to $3.5 million, though it’s important to note we won’t lend the maximum amount at the maximum LTV. Here’s how the structure works:
Purchase loan amounts:
- Up to $3,500,000 with 70% LTV
- Up to $3,000,000 with 75% LTV
- Up to $2,000,000 with 80% LTV
- Up to $1,500,000 with 85% LTV
- Up to $1,000,000 with 90% LTV
LendSure’s approach is different: while other lenders apply blanket expense ratios, we apply expense ratios as low as 10%. This can make a tremendous difference in calculating qualifying income. We allow multiple business and personal accounts to be combined, and even make room for hybrid earners, blending W-2 income with bank statement income. It’s a way of lending that listens more closely to the full measure of a person’s financial life.
DSCR Loans
DSCR loans qualify borrowers based on property rental income versus debt obligations. No personal income verification is required. The ratio is determined by dividing monthly rent by PITIA (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, Association dues).
These loans are designed for real estate investors—people with multiple properties, anyone using LLCs, and those building portfolios.
LendSure accepts DSCR ratios as low as 1.0x, and even lower on an exception basis.
Program features include:
- Loan amounts up to $3 million
- Financing for 1-10 units
- Unlimited financed properties—up to 10 loans per investor
- The ability to close multiple loans simultaneously
- Financing available for non-warrantable condos and condotels
This product becomes particularly valuable when investors hit the Fannie/Freddie 10-property cap. At that point, they face a choice: stop growing or find creative workarounds. DSCR eliminates that ceiling entirely, and the brokers who understand its intricacies can become real guides for investors who want to keep building.
Fix and Flip Loans
These loans move at the pace of opportunity. They’re built for the renovator, the builder, or the investor willing to trade their vision for value. LendSure’s short-term financing solutions focus on an evaluation of a property’s potential and the exit strategy and are perfect for brokers in the construction space.
LendSure finances up to 90% of the purchase price and 100% of construction costs, with 12-month, interest-only terms. We deliver term sheets in hours, not days. We work with first-timers and seasoned flippers alike, funding single-family and multifamily properties up to four units.
We know that speed matters tremendously in this market. When you’re delivering term sheets in hours while traditional banks take weeks, you’re the difference between your client winning the deal and watching it slip away to someone with cash in hand.
Foreign National Loans
These are mortgages designed for non-U.S. citizens without domestic credit history, Social Security numbers, or U.S. tax returns. They open the door to American property ownership for international buyers who bring capital, vision, and legitimate financial strength—but not the traditional paperwork U.S. lenders typically require.
According to the National Association of Realtors, international buyers purchased 78,100 U.S. homes between April 2024 and March 2025—that’s up 44% year-over-year. This is a significant and growing market, representing billions in real estate transactions and countless opportunities for brokers who understand how to serve these clients.
With LendSure’s Foreign National program, you can qualify international buyers on a wide range of visa types for loan amounts up to $2 million with cash-out up to $500,000. LTV ratios reach up to 75% for purchases and 65% for cash-out refinances.
Whether your client is seeking a vacation retreat in Florida, an investment property in a university town, or a portfolio of rental homes across multiple states, we have the flexibility to make it happen.
Asset Qualifier Loans
Loans that qualify borrowers based on liquid assets instead of monthly income. Divide total assets by a depletion period to calculate qualifying income.
Retirees with savings. Trust fund beneficiaries. High-net-worth people. Anyone with irregular income but significant assets.
Here’s the edge: LendSure uses a 60-month draw period. Most lenders use 120+ months. That literally doubles qualifying income. Same assets, double the buying power.
Bridge Loans (BOOST)
Short-term financing that lets buyers purchase before selling their current home. LendSure’s BOOST program eliminates monthly payments for up to 12 months. No DTI impact on purchase qualification.
Cash offers win in competitive markets. Bridge loans let your buyers compete like cash buyers while keeping mortgage financing. It’s powerful.
The Business Case
Let’s talk about what this means for your business. Non-QM loan amounts tend to run higher than conventional loans. You’re working with self-employed borrowers who have strong finances, real estate investors building portfolios, and foreign nationals purchasing significant properties. These are established clients with substantial transactions.
The competitive landscape is different too. With conventional loans, borrowers compare your rate against ten others. In Non-QM, you’re competing on expertise and solutions. When you solve a problem other brokers couldn’t, rate becomes less important.
Non-QM also provides valuable diversification. When purchase markets slow or refinance volume drops, you still have deal flow. The self-employed market doesn’t vanish in a downturn, investors keep building portfolios, and international buyers continue seeking U.S. real estate.
Ready to explore how LendSure can support your Non-QM business?
You don’t need formal approval to start. Submit a loan scenario and we’ll review it together. When you’re ready to move forward, our broker approval process usually takes just 48-72 hours.
Connect with a dedicated account manager who can walk you through product guidelines, discuss specific deals, and help you identify opportunities in your existing pipeline. We’re here to help you grow your Non-QM business with the support and expertise you need.
Non-QM Lending: Frequently Asked Questions for Brokers
Is this a complete overview of all your mortgage products?
No. This guide focuses on our most commonly used Non-QM products, but we offer additional specialized solutions including Condotel loans, Non-Warrantable Condo financing, Jumbo loans, 40-Year Fixed Interest-Only loans, and other niche programs. Visit our loan programs page to see our complete product suite, or contact your account manager to discuss specific scenarios.
What makes LendSure different from other Non-QM lenders?
We focus on common-sense underwriting. We look at the complete financial picture and do so an individual basis. We also provide dedicated account managers who work directly with you, fast decision-making (especially critical for time-sensitive deals), and we can handle complex scenarios that other lenders decline.
Our 60-month asset depletion calculation and ability to finance up to 10 properties per investor are examples of how we structure programs to maximize approval rates.
What if I have a complex scenario that doesn’t fit neatly into one product?
Submit it anyway. We regularly structure creative solutions combining different approaches or making exceptions based on compensating factors. Our underwriting team specializes in finding ways to say yes. The worst outcome is we explain why it doesn’t work and suggest alternatives.
Do I need to be an approved broker before I can discuss a loan scenario with LendSure?
No. You can submit scenarios and discuss potential deals with our team without formal approval. We only require broker approval before funding. The approval process generally takes 48-72 hours once we have your documentation.
How do I know if a borrower needs Non-QM vs. conventional financing?
Look for these indicators: self-employment with significant write-offs, multiple investment properties (especially if they’re at or near the 10-property Fannie/Freddie cap), foreign nationals without U.S. credit history, recent credit events with strong compensating factors, or asset-rich borrowers without traditional income documentation. If a borrower says “I was told I can’t qualify,” that’s often a Non-QM opportunity.
How do I explain Non-QM to clients who’ve never heard of it?
Avoid jargon. Simply explain that it’s a mortgage designed for borrowers whose income, assets, employment, or property type doesn’t fit standard lending boxes. Emphasize that these aren’t subprime loans—they’re solutions for creditworthy people with non-traditional situations.
How can I learn more about specific products?
Submit a scenario and we’ll walk through it together. We also offer broker training, webinars, and direct support from your account manager. The best way to learn is by working actual deals with our guidance.
