Refinancing can be tough when you’re self employed. If your income isn’t traditional, most lenders either say “no” or offer bad terms. But you have options—if you know how to structure the request.
Fund business growth or a new venture
Invest in real estate or other assets
Consolidate expensive business or personal debt
Increase liquidity during slow revenue cycles
Reinvest into your own corporation
Dividend or retained earnings income
HELOCs on corp-owned properties
Thin credit files or unconventional debt
Low personal income due to tax strategy
This doesn’t mean the equity isn’t accessible—it means it needs to be strategically unlocked.
HELOCs on personal-use or rental properties
Blended mortgage refinance (keep your rate + access funds)
Equity take-outs for business use
Multi-property portfolio equity strategy
Releveraging corp-owned properties
Assess available equity across your properties
Review your income, ownership structure, and capital needs
Match to the best lending strategy (HELOC, refi, etc.)
Coordinate with your accountant or planner (if needed)
Access capital—without disrupting your tax or business plans
Accordion Content
You can – but if you’re planning to build in your operating corporation that might put you in a difficult legal position.
Builders or trades people could come after your business income or assets.
It could make financing more complicated or expensive.
You should plan the structure out with your accountant, a lawyer, and your mortgage consultant. I am always ready to chat with your accountant/lawyer or provide one if you need it!
Many lenders can also do land financing or a land draw which allows you to purchase the land.
In some cases you may have a more complex structure such a a joint venture partnership. Some lenders have custom mortgage programs that can allow for these.
This depends on the project (construction cost, if you own the land outright or have a mortgage on it already, if there’s a house on the property, and other factors).
Common rule of thumb is the best pricing lenders aim to see approximately 50% of the land value and construction cost in capital. Other lenders are more flexible if needed.
Yes – infact, many construction lenders will use make sense lending instead of rigid policies.
There are typically 3 routes builders take:
First, if you plan to sell, then lenders may want to see some of the units pre-sold. You would then complete the build and sell as planned.
Second, if you plan to living in the home after completion, many lenders will allow you to graduate into standard mortgage financing. If not, then you can refinance into a standard mortgage.
Third, if you plan to rent the property out after completion, you can often graduate into an investment property mortgage. Again, if you can’t then you can refinance into one.
This is a very important part of the planning process so should be thought about at the start.
