Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BiggerPockets Pro Members Get Up to $1,250 Off Upfront Fees on a Fix and Flip or Bridge Loan with Kiavi!
kiavi.com/partners/biggerpockets
*You do NOT need a W-2 job to qualify for a rental property loan.* If you’ve got inconsistent income, are self-employed, collect your income in cash, or just don’t want to use your personal income to qualify, you can invest with these options. Each of these *real estate investing loans* has benefits for anyone collecting non-traditional income.
Some *loans look at the property’s financials instead of yours.* Others can *fund 100% of your renovation* costs up front, but require a bit more of a local touch. Thinking of house hacking? A *certain loan works best* for owner-occupied investors with *inconsistent (but reportable) income.* This makes buying your first investment property so much easier, or scaling your investment portfolio once you’ve left your 9-5 job.
*Henry has used these loans* throughout his rental property, fix and flip, and BRRRR (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) journey, *especially as he left his W-2* to go all-in on real estate investing.
Think any of these loans could work for you?
Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇
biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media
Grab Henry’s Book, _Real Estate Deal Maker_ :
store.biggerpockets.com/products/real-estate-deal-maker?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Sign Up for the Investor Brief Newsletter:
biggerpockets.com/email-subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Find Investor-Friendly Lenders:
biggerpockets.com/findlenders
5 Ways to Finance a Rental Property That Nobody Talks About:
biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1235?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Connect with Henry:
biggerpockets.com/users/henryw22?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
00:00 You DON'T Need a W-2!
01:11 Why Lenders Want W-2 Income
01:55 What Lenders Want to See
02:34 1. DSCR Loans (Debt-Service Coverage Ratio)
05:56 Sponsor: Kiavi!
06:26 2. Bank Statement/Non-QM Loans
08:59 3. Private and Hard Money Loans
13:03 4. Portfolio Loans
18:43 Different Deals Need Different Loans!
BiggerPockets Pro Members Get Up to $1,250 Off Upfront Fees on a Fix and Flip or Bridge Loan with Kiavi!
kiavi.com/partners/biggerpockets
*You do NOT need a W-2 job to qualify for a rental property loan.* If you’ve got inconsistent income, are self-employed, collect your income in cash, or just don’t want to use your personal income to qualify, you can invest with these options. Each of these *real estate investing loans* has benefits for anyone collecting non-traditional income.
Some *loans look at the property’s financials instead of yours.* Others can *fund 100% of your renovation* costs up front, but require a bit more of a local touch. Thinking of house hacking? A *certain loan works best* for owner-occupied investors with *inconsistent (but reportable) income.* This makes buying your first investment property so much easier, or scaling your investment portfolio once you’ve left your 9-5 job.
*Henry has used these loans* throughout his rental property, fix and flip, and BRRRR (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) journey, *especially as he left his W-2* to go all-in on real estate investing.
Think any of these loans could work for you?
Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇
biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media
Grab Henry’s Book, _Real Estate Deal Maker_ :
store.biggerpockets.com/products/real-estate-deal-maker?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Sign Up for the Investor Brief Newsletter:
biggerpockets.com/email-subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Find Investor-Friendly Lenders:
biggerpockets.com/findlenders
5 Ways to Finance a Rental Property That Nobody Talks About:
biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1235?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Connect with Henry:
biggerpockets.com/users/henryw22?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
00:00 You DON'T Need a W-2!
01:11 Why Lenders Want W-2 Income
01:55 What Lenders Want to See
02:34 1. DSCR Loans (Debt-Service Coverage Ratio)
05:56 Sponsor: Kiavi!
06:26 2. Bank Statement/Non-QM Loans
08:59 3. Private and Hard Money Loans
13:03 4. Portfolio Loans
18:43 Different Deals Need Different Loans!
