What self-employed buyers need to understand about timing, equity, and smarter home entry strategies
At Burson Home Advisors, we’ve helped dozens of self-employed professionals chart a path to homeownership—without waiting two or three years to qualify for a mortgage.
But sometimes, even the clearest strategy gets drowned out by well-meaning mentors who don’t understand the landscape. And unfortunately, that can cost a buyer far more than they realize.
Let us introduce you to Chris.
Chris is a self-employed professional in Raleigh. He’s passionate, driven, and serious about proposing to his girlfriend and settling into their next chapter together. He wants to move into a new construction home, start building equity, and set himself up for a purchase down the line.
He finds us. We listen.
And because of his unseasoned tax returns, we recommend one of our partners’ Lease to Own Raleigh programs: the kind designed specifically for self-employed buyers who are at least 18 to 24 months from qualifying for a mortgage—but don’t want to keep throwing away money on rent in the meantime.
The program is everything Chris said he was looking for:
- Our partner buys the home for cash—often below market value
- Chris leases it with a fixed monthly payment lower than a mortgage
- His down payment is never lost—it applies toward his purchase, or he can transfer or cash it out
- The home is professionally managed, with taxes, insurance, and major repairs covered
- And when he decides to buy? He pays no buyer’s closing costs
The cherry on top? If the home appreciates while he leases it, Chris gets a fixed percentage of that wealth. In essence: he starts building wealth before he ever applies for a mortgage.
He’s approved within 24 hours. We’re ready to begin what we call the One & Done Tour—our signature approach where we sit down, listen deeply to his lifestyle goals, then tour only the homes that meet both his heart and his numbers.
But then? Silence.
The Mentor Effect
Chris returns a few days later, but not with enthusiasm. With skepticism.
He’s spoken to a few mentors, he says. They believe he can get a mortgage in six months. That he should wait. That he’ll pay less buying outright.
We listen. We clarify. We remind him:
- His self-employed tax returns haven’t seasoned long enough to support underwriting
- The partner down payment isn’t “lost”—it’s his money
- He avoids 2-3% buyer’s closing costs if he purchases through our partner’s program
- And he could gain equity during the lease period that would never exist in a rental or traditional waiting period
Still, the mentors hold sway.
Chris, like many others, confuses charisma with competence. And because we aren’t household names or flanked by social media entourages, he hesitates.
This is more common than you might think.
When Advice Costs More Than Action
We’re not here to talk anyone into a home.
We’re here to protect financial momentum and educate clients on timing, math, and real-world options that don’t fit the traditional mold.
For self-employed buyers in particular, the biggest cost isn’t just rent—it’s the opportunity cost of waiting while:
- Home prices continue to rise
- Rent payments build no equity
- Credit conditions shift
- Inventory becomes more competitive
Programs like the ones our partners offer exist because traditional systems don’t work for everyone. They’re not loopholes. They’re lifelines.
And when buyers understand how they work? The path becomes clear.
If You’re Self-Employed, Here’s What You Deserve to Know:
- You don’t need a mortgage to start building equity
- You don’t need to wait years to live in the home you want
- Your down payment can be protected, transferable, and wealth-building
- You deserve housing flexibility that supports your long-term goals
We work with buyers just like you—people running businesses, building families, navigating uncertainty, and refusing to wait for perfect conditions.
If you’re self-employed and tired of outdated advice that doesn’t reflect your reality, let’s talk.
We won’t pitch you. We’ll walk with you.
– Learn how Lease to Own can build equity now—without waiting for a mortgage
– Our partners’ programs are designed with you in mind
– Let us help you find your way home
#leasetoownRaleigh #selfemployedhomebuyers #renttoownRaleigh #firsttimehomebuyers #homesforrentRaleigh #BursonHomeAdvisors
