Getting a mortgage to buy a home for self-employed workers and those who work strictly on commission poses particular challenges.

Self-employed borrowers and commission sales people normally do not have the same income stability that regular salaried workers in Canada have. This segment of the Canadian/American labor force can apply for a regular mortgage to finance or refinance a home but the process is onerous and typically may result in higher interest rates.

GE Mortgage Insurance has developed a specialized mortgage insurance program, available through financial lenders and mortgage brokers, to help self-employed and wholly commissioned workers receive a high, loan-to-value mortgage at regular interest rates, quickly and easily, to either purchase or refinance a home.

Who qualifies

Applicants under this program must prove they have been self-employed for at least three years by supplying at least two forms of written, third party documentation such as a business credit report, business license, Goods and Services Tax returns or articles of incorporation.

Self-employed applicants do not need to disclose the nature of their business but must show a strong credit rating with no mortgage, installment or revolving credit delinquencies and no reported defaults on residential mortgages in the past seven years.

Commission sales applicants are defined as someone who receives 100 per cent of their income from commissions.

Commissioned applicants must supply one form of written third party documentation through letters of employment, T4 /W2/1099 or income tax returns showing at least two years of commission sales income as defined above.

What qualifies

The program will fund up to 90 per cent of the purchase price or 85 per cent of an existing property for refinance purposes, to a maximum loan amount of approximately $450,000.

Eligible properties include existing and new construction properties with a maximum of two units where at least one unit is occupied as the principal residence.

To qualify, all applicants must occupy the property. Spousal guarantees are also acceptable provided they occupy the property.

The GE Program is available through banks and other lending institutions. If you feel you qualify, check your local lending.

There are many alternatives to bank financing today, do your homework in finding the best option for your situation and keep an open mind. Banks are not always the best answer and they certainly are not the only answer. Financial brokers today have a vast array of products to fit most circumstances and the best ones are up to date with the latest trends and options so they can place your financing with the best product on the market.

Talk to your bank, then talk to a Mortgage Broker, compare and make your decision.