16 Florida Mortgage & Assistance Programs for Self-Employed & 1099 Homebuyers (2025)

Buying a home when you're self-employed or a 1099 worker can be tough.

Many lenders want perfect tax returns or a long work history, which doesn’t work for everyone.

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

This guide covers 16 programs in Florida that can help you qualify for a mortgage or get assistance, even if your income is tricky.

1. Bank Statement Mortgage

Type: Non-QM mortgage
Who It’s For: Self-employed buyers with strong bank deposits but low taxable income due to write-offs
How It Works: Uses 12–24 months of personal or business bank statements instead of tax returns. Lenders average monthly deposits and use a percentage (typically 50–100%) to calculate income.
Requirements: 620–680+ credit score, 10–20% down payment, 12–24 months of statements, 1–2 years of self-employment
Where It’s Available: Nationwide through non-QM lenders
Best For: Buyers with heavy tax deductions, inconsistent income, or high bank deposits

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

2. 1099-Only Mortgage

Type: Non-QM mortgage
Who It’s For: Independent contractors and gig workers who receive 1099s
How It Works: Uses 1–2 years of 1099 forms to determine income. No tax returns or W-2s required. Some lenders allow using up to 90–100% of gross 1099 income.
Requirements: 620+ credit score, 10–20% down, 12–24 months of 1099s, some reserve requirements
Where It’s Available: Nationwide
Best For: Self-employed contractors, gig workers, and freelancers who underreport on taxes

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

3. Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Type: Down payment and closing cost assistance + discounted first mortgage
Who It’s For: Florida-based buyers who are employed full-time in their community, including self-employed individuals
How It Works: Offers up to 5% of the loan amount (max $35,000) toward down payment or closing costs as a deferred 0% interest loan. Paired with a reduced-rate FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan.
Requirements: 640+ credit score, full-time work (35+ hours), income and price limits, homebuyer education
Where It’s Available: Florida only
Best For: Self-employed Floridians who need both assistance and a reduced interest rate

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

4. FHA Earned Equity Program

Type: Lease-to-own with FHA-backed purchase by a government or tribal entity
Who It’s For: Self-employed and 1099 buyers who are mortgage-ready in practice (can afford payments) but can’t currently qualify due to credit, income documentation, or immigration status (including ITIN holders)
How It Works: A tribal or nonprofit agency purchases the home with an FHA loan. The buyer signs a long-term lease or homeownership agreement with the option to refinance or assume the loan later. Payments are structured like a mortgage and may build equity.
Requirements: 580+ credit score preferred (exceptions possible), 3.5%+ down payment, 12-month rental or housing history, alternative income verification allowed (bank statements, 1099s, W-2s, P&L), property must meet FHA standards
Where It’s Available: Select states including Florida and Texas
Best For: New business owners, gig workers, or undocumented/ITIN buyers who need a mortgage alternative with future ownership potential

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

5. Dream America (Rent-to-Own)

Type: Rent-to-own / lease-purchase
Who It’s For: Buyers with moderate income and savings who aren’t mortgage-ready yet
How It Works: Dream America purchases the home and leases it to the buyer for 12 months, with the option to buy at any time during the lease.
Requirements: 500+ credit score, $4,000+ monthly income, $8,000+ in savings
Where It’s Available: Select cities in Florida and other states
Best For: Self-employed buyers who are close to qualifying for a mortgage but need more time

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

6. Divvy Homes (Rent-to-Own)

Type: Rent-to-own
Who It’s For: Renters with steady income but low savings or challenged credit
How It Works: Divvy buys the home and leases it to the buyer for up to 3 years. Buyer contributes 1–2% upfront, and a portion of rent builds savings for a future purchase.
Requirements: 550+ credit score, 1–2% option fee, proof of income
Where It’s Available: Major metro areas in Florida
Best For: Self-employed buyers with variable income who need time to build savings or credit

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

7. TRIO Lease-to-Own Program

Type: Rent-to-own with FHA assumable loan
Who It’s For: Moderate-income buyers looking for structured leasing toward ownership
How It Works: Buyer leases the home while preparing for mortgage readiness, then assumes a pre-approved FHA loan
Requirements: 580+ credit score, $36,000+ income, 12-month rental history
Where It’s Available: Most of Florida (some counties excluded)
Best For: Self-employed buyers with stable income but not yet mortgage-ready

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

8. One-Year Self-Employment Loan

Type: Freddie Mac conventional or non-QM
Who It’s For: Buyers who’ve been self-employed for only one year but have prior related work experience
How It Works: Allows qualification with just one year of tax returns if the buyer was previously employed in the same field
Requirements: 680+ credit score, strong reserves, AUS approval (or lender discretion for non-QM)
Where It’s Available: Nationwide
Best For: Recently self-employed professionals with high current income

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

9. Freddie Mac Home Possible

Type: Conventional loan (Freddie Mac)
Who It’s For: Low- to moderate-income buyers, including self-employed borrowers, who need flexible income and credit guidelines
How It Works: Offers a 3% down payment option with reduced mortgage rates. Allows flexible funding sources for the down payment, including gifts and grants. Underwriting is more lenient, with support for higher debt-to-income ratios, non-traditional credit, and non-occupant co-borrowers.
Requirements: 660+ credit score, must meet income limits by area and household size, property must be a primary residence (single-family, condo, or manufactured home)
Where It’s Available: Nationwide
Best For: Self-employed buyers with limited savings or income support from family members

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10. Miami-Dade Advocacy Trust Grant

Type: Forgivable second mortgage
Who It’s For: Buyers purchasing in Miami-Dade County
How It Works: Offers up to $28,500 as a 0% loan for down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 20 years of ownership
Requirements: Buyer contribution of 1–3%, income limits, homebuyer education
Where It’s Available: Miami-Dade County
Best For: Self-employed buyers with stable income and limited cash in Miami

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

11. FHA Loan

Type: Government-backed mortgage
Who It’s For: Buyers with lower credit or small down payment, including the self-employed
How It Works: Accepts 2 years of self-employment or 1 year with prior industry experience. Uses tax returns to verify income.
Requirements: 580+ credit score, 3.5% down payment, tax return documentation
Where It’s Available: Nationwide
Best For: Self-employed buyers who can document income through tax returns

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

12. Conventional Loan (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac)

Type: Conforming mortgage
Who It’s For: Buyers with good credit and full tax return documentation
How It Works: Uses 1–2 years of tax returns and profit/loss statements to calculate average income
Requirements: 620+ credit score, 3–5% down, 2 years self-employment or 1 year + prior W-2
Where It’s Available: Nationwide
Best For: Self-employed buyers with consistent income and strong credit

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13. Hallandale Beach First-Time Homebuyer Grant

Type: Forgivable loan
Who It’s For: Buyers in Hallandale Beach CRA district
How It Works: Provides up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, forgivable over 10 years
Requirements: First-time buyer, 640+ credit score, income limits, homebuyer education
Where It’s Available: Hallandale Beach CRA
Best For: Local buyers who qualify for geographic and income limits

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14. Asset Depletion Mortgage

Type: Non-QM / portfolio loan
Who It’s For: High-net-worth buyers with little reported income
How It Works: Uses liquid assets as a substitute for income. Assets are divided over 360 months to determine income
Requirements: $500,000+ in assets, 680+ credit, large down payment
Where It’s Available: Select private lenders nationwide
Best For: Retired or investment-heavy self-employed buyers

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15. USDA Loan

Type: Government-backed mortgage
Who It’s For: Low-income buyers in rural areas
How It Works: Requires 2 years of self-employment or 1 year with related experience. Verifies income using tax returns
Requirements: 640+ credit score, income limits, rural location
Where It’s Available: USDA-eligible areas nationwide
Best For: Rural buyers with steady documented income

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16. Co-Borrower Strategy (with FHA or Conventional)

Type: Co-applicant on standard loan
Who It’s For: Buyers who can’t qualify on their own income
How It Works: A creditworthy co-borrower (e.g. spouse or parent) is added to help qualify. Their income boosts the loan application
Requirements: Co-borrower must meet credit and DTI limits
Where It’s Available: Nationwide
Best For: Self-employed buyers with family support

See Exactly What Programs You Qualify for as a Self-Employed or 1099 Buyer

Didn’t Find the Program You Were Looking For?

We’ve got you covered with even more options tailored for Florida buyers:

→ Explore our full list of the best first-time homebuyer programs in Florida

→ Browse our complete guide to rent-to-own programs in Florida

Whether you’re just starting your search or need flexible financing, these guides will help you take the next step.