Yeah, I've noticed the same thing. Had a client whose income was seasonal—big spikes in summer, quiet winters—and the lender initially balked at it. We ended up crafting a detailed explanation about their industry cycles and even threw in some historical data showing consistent annual earnings. Once we spelled it out clearly, the lender relaxed. Seems like underwriters just want clarity and context more than anything else...
Interesting point about seasonal income. I've run into similar issues with lenders when dealing with project-based income streams—like when a property sells, there's a big influx, but then months of quiet while the next project's underway. Even with clear explanations, some lenders still seem hesitant unless there's a steady monthly paycheck. Makes me wonder if certain lenders or loan types are more flexible with these unconventional income patterns? Or maybe it's just about finding the right underwriter who's comfortable looking beyond the standard boxes... Curious if anyone's had better luck with specific lenders or loan products that handle irregular income more smoothly.
Had a similar experience when I was freelancing—banks just couldn't grasp the idea that my income wasn't neatly packaged every month. Eventually found luck with a local credit union though, smaller outfit but way more flexible... might be worth checking out your local options.
"Eventually found luck with a local credit union though, smaller outfit but way more flexible..."
This is solid advice. Credit unions often look beyond the rigid checkboxes that traditional banks rely on. When I first started investing in real estate, my income streams were all over the place—rentals, flips, occasional consulting gigs. Banks didn't know what to make of it. But a smaller credit union took the time to understand my financial picture and goals, which made all the difference. Good to hear you've found something similar; persistence usually pays off in these situations.
Totally agree on credit unions being more flexible. Couple things I'd add from experience:
- They often have fewer layers of bureaucracy, meaning quicker decisions.
- Relationship-building actually matters—once they know you, future loans get easier.
- Sometimes their rates aren't the absolute lowest, but the flexibility and ease of working with them usually outweighs that.
Had a similar situation myself...banks just saw me as risky, but the CU took time to listen and understand. Made a huge difference.
