Can you get a Houston mortgage with bank statements instead of tax returns?
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated September 9, 2026 · Written by the Warens Financial Group education team
Reviewed by Franklin Warens, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1249423 · Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048
Yes. A bank statement loan lets you qualify using 12 or 24 months of bank deposits instead of tax returns. It is designed for self-employed buyers whose tax returns do not show what they really earn.
Contractors, truck drivers, salon owners, realtors, consultants: many self-employed Houstonians earn good money but show a small income on their tax returns after write-offs. This loan was made for that. Disponible en español también.
How does the lender count your income?
They add up the deposits in your bank statements over 12 or 24 months and use the average.
If you use a business account, the lender subtracts a percentage for business expenses. Transfers between your own accounts and one-time deposits do not count. Steady deposits make it simple. A loan officer can look at your statements and tell you quickly what income they support.
Common lender practice in 2026. Rules vary from one lender to the next.
What do you need?
12 or 24 months of bank statements, about two years of self-employment, a credit score in the mid 600s or higher, and usually 10% to 20% down.
Everything else is the same as any home loan: ID, the purchase contract, homeowners insurance, and an appraisal.
Is this a safe loan?
Yes. The lender still confirms you can afford the payment. It just uses your bank statements to do it instead of tax returns.
Bank statement loans usually cost a bit more than a regular loan and ask for a larger down payment. Many people refinance into a regular loan later. A loan officer can show you both options side by side.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Ability-to-Repay rule.
What is the next step?
Gather 12 months of bank statements and have a conversation. A loan officer can tell you quickly whether your deposits support the home you have in mind.
Warens Financial Group is a Houston mortgage broker, so we compare bank statement loans from several lenders for you. Read more on our bank statement loans page, or start the conversation below.
Frequently asked questions
- How many months of bank statements do I need?
- Either 12 or 24 months, depending on the lender.
- Should I use personal or business bank statements?
- Either can work. A loan officer can tell you which one works better for you.
- How long do I need to be self-employed?
- Usually two years. Some lenders accept one year if you were doing the same kind of work before that.
- Can I refinance with a bank statement loan?
- Yes, as long as you have enough equity and the same bank statement paperwork.
Talk to a licensed, bilingual Houston mortgage team.
Warens Financial Group is a Houston-based, bilingual (English/Spanish) mortgage brokerage licensed in Texas, Florida, and Indiana, offering FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and Non-QM, investor, and DSCR loan programs. Our team can review your credit, budget, and goals and explain the programs you may be eligible for, en inglés o en español. Pre-qualification is free, no-obligation, and not a commitment to lend.
Buying in Houston? Start with our Houston mortgage broker page, or see how buying a home with WFG works.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice, a commitment to lend, or an offer of credit. Bank statement program requirements, expense factors, and terms vary by lender and change over time, and approval depends on the full application. Dollar figures are illustrative examples, not quotes. Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048. Equal Housing Opportunity. Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048. Franklin Warens, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1249423. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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