Self-Employed & Business Owner Lending
Fort Lauderdale’s entrepreneurial economy means many of our clients are self-employed. Bank statement programs use 12 or 24 months of deposits — no tax returns. P&L statement programs add even more flexibility.
Fort Lauderdale Branch
Fort Lauderdale mortgage lending for complex borrowers
Stairway Mortgage is the Fort Lauderdale home base for borrowers whose income or property does not fit a simple W-2 box. As both a direct lender and a licensed broker, our team has the lender access to solve the scenarios South Florida throws at you.
Led by a Scotsman Guide Top Producer · NMLS #1072866 · $500M+ closed
About the Fort Lauderdale Team
Whether you are a first-time buyer in Flagler Village, a real estate investor scaling across Broward County, or a business owner who needs alternative income documentation, our Fort Lauderdale team has the expertise and lender access to get it done.
South Florida’s economy runs on entrepreneurs, investors, and globally mobile professionals — exactly the borrowers traditional lenders struggle with. We built this branch around those scenarios, not around the easy ones.
With access to a network of 300+ wholesale lending partners, we can match a borrower to the right program instead of forcing every file through the same narrow guidelines.
Your loans are originated under founder NMLS #1072866.
What This Branch Specializes In
Built for Fort Lauderdale, FL's complex borrowers
Real Estate Investor Financing
From single-family rentals in Oakland Park to multi-family in Progresso Village to vacation rentals near the beach. DSCR loans qualify on rental income — no personal income verification required.
Condo Financing
Fort Lauderdale’s condo market along the Intracoastal and beach corridors includes many non-warrantable buildings. Our 300+ lender network includes multiple non-warrantable condo specialists.
Luxury & Jumbo Lending
Harbor Beach, Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista — jumbo and super-jumbo programs with as little as 10% down for qualified buyers.
Foreign National Programs
Programs with 25–30% down, no U.S. credit requirement, and closings in a personal name or through an LLC.
Real Comments, Real People
From past clients of our founder
Jim and his team were great through the whole process — prompt replies, and they secured the best rate. We dropped a 30 to a 15, took cash out for a renovation, and consolidated our first and second mortgage into one.
Brian Robertson
This is the second loan I’ve done with Jim and again they exceeded my expectations. This time a multi-family unit — best possible service, job done. I’ll definitely recommend family and friends.
Syed Saqib
We closed our loan within 19 days — just in time for Thanksgiving. We initially went with a different office whose rate and down payment were ridiculous. We’ve been referring the team to everyone we know ever since.
Elizabeth Torres
Run, don’t walk. They helped us get financing when it seemed impossible — buying 2,000 miles away, in an extremely competitive market, while self-employed. They made sure financing wasn’t a barrier to our dream house.
David Livermore
Common Questions
Fort Lauderdale mortgage questions, answered
01 Do I need tax returns to qualify in Fort Lauderdale?
Not necessarily. For self-employed and business-owner borrowers, bank statement programs qualify on 12 or 24 months of business or personal deposits, and P&L programs use a CPA-prepared profit-and-loss statement — no tax returns required.
02 Can you finance an investment property without verifying my income?
Yes. DSCR (debt-service coverage ratio) loans qualify based on the property’s rental income rather than your personal income, which is ideal for investors scaling a portfolio across Broward County.
03 My condo building is non-warrantable. Can you still help?
Many Fort Lauderdale buildings along the Intracoastal and beach lose warrantable status. Our network of 300+ wholesale lenders includes multiple non-warrantable condo specialists, so we can usually find a program traditional lenders decline.
04 I’m not a U.S. citizen. Can I buy property here?
Yes. Foreign national programs typically require 25–30% down, do not require U.S. credit history, and allow closing in your personal name or through an LLC.
05 How fast can you close?
Timelines vary by program and file, but past clients have closed in roughly 19 days when documentation is ready. We give you a realistic timeline up front rather than an optimistic one.
06 What areas does the Fort Lauderdale branch serve?
We work with borrowers throughout South Florida — from Flagler Village and Victoria Park to Oakland Park, Las Olas Isles, Harbor Beach, and the surrounding Broward County markets.
Ready to talk through your options?
No pressure, no jargon — a real conversation about what's possible for you in Fort Lauderdale, FL.