Mortgages for Self-Employed Kiwis and Business Owners

Owning your own business or working for yourself has many rewards – flexibility, independence, and the satisfaction of building something of your own. But when it comes to getting a mortgage, the process can feel a little harder than it should. Traditional lenders often prefer neat payslips and regular PAYE income, which doesn’t always reflect the reality of business ownership.

At Optimise Finance, we specialise in helping self-employed Kiwis and business owners secure the lending they need for their homes, investments, and families. With more than 15 years’ experience in business and home lending, we understand how to present your financial position clearly to the banks – and advocate strongly on your behalf.

Why It’s Different for the Self-Employed

Unlike salaried employees, business owners often have:
- Variable income from month to month
- Income that’s retained in the business rather than drawn personally
- Complex structures (companies, trusts, partnerships)
- Tax returns that may show lower taxable income than actual cashflow

Many lenders assess risk by looking at the lowest possible income figure, which can understate your true ability to service a loan. This doesn’t mean you can’t borrow – it just means lenders need a fuller picture. That’s where we step in to make sure your application tells the full story of your financial strength.

Documents You May Need

Every situation is unique, but commonly required documents include:
- Financial Statements (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet – usually the last 2 years)
- IRD Tax Returns (personal and business)
- Bank Statements (personal and business accounts, typically 3–6 months)
- GST Returns (if applicable)
- Cashflow Forecasts or Management Accounts (helpful if your most recent year was affected by unusual events)
- Company Structure Information (shareholdings, trust deeds, etc.)

Some lenders will also consider one year of financials if you’ve had strong growth, or may accept alternative evidence such as contracts, debtor schedules, or business pipeline reports. Don’t worry if this feels like a lot – we’ll help you gather what’s needed and present it in a way lenders understand.

Mortgage Applications: Employees vs Self-Employed

At Optimise Finance, we know the extra steps for business owners – and we’ll guide you through them so you don’t miss out on the right mortgage.

How We Help Business Owners

At Optimise Finance, we:
- Work directly with your accountant to package your financials clearly
- Identify lenders who best understand self-employed income
- Explore all options, from main banks to specialist non-bank lenders
- Tailor your mortgage structure to suit your income patterns and business goals
- Advocate for you throughout the process, ensuring your application gets a fair hearing

Our role is to make the process simple, transparent, and stress-free – so you can focus on running your business and looking after your family. We know the challenges self-employed people face because we’re a business built by people just like you.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re self-employed or running your own business and want to explore your mortgage options, we’d love to help. Contact us today on 021 581 502 or matt@optimisefinance.co.nz for an obligation free consultation.  

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