Two banks said no. We said yes and had the client signed in just 10 business days.

This client owned two profitable businesses and had strong cash flow, but his tax returns told a different story. Like many business owners, he used legitimate write-offs to reduce taxable income. Traditional banks could not get comfortable with the numbers and declined the file.

The problem was not income. It was documentation.

The solution we used

Instead of forcing a conventional approach, we used one of our bank statement HELOC programs. This option qualifies income based on cash flow rather than tax returns, which is often a much better fit for self-employed borrowers.

To make the process even smoother

We used Plaid asset verification. This allowed the lender to securely review banking activity without the client having to dig through months of statements. The result was a faster approval, cleaner underwriting, and far less stress.

Most importantly

The client was able to access his home equity without touching his first mortgage. His low rate stayed in place while he unlocked the capital he needed.

This is a great example of why structure matters. A no from one lender does not mean no across the board. It often means the strategy needs to change.

If you are sitting on a low mortgage rate but want to access your home equity, a HELOC could be the right solution. Especially if you are self-employed or your tax returns do not reflect your true income.

If this sounds like your situation, reach out directly or book a quick call. I am always happy to look at the numbers and map out smart options.