Hi, I'm working on an article about qualifying for a mortgage for self-employed buyers and I'm looking for expert insights from real estate agents, finance experts, or homebuyers who have bought a house while self-employed. Please include your name and, if relevant, your title/organization and website link. Note that AI responses will not be accepted. For real estate agents/finance experts: 1. How does the mortgage process differ for self-employed buyers compared to traditionally employed buyers? 2. What's the most common mistake self-employed buyers make before applying for a mortgage? 3. Which lenders or loan types have you found to be most flexible or favorable for self-employed clients? 4. How do fluctuating income streams affect what a buyer qualifies for, and how do you help buyers navigate that? 5. What are the most common reasons self-employed buyers get denied or delayed? 6. How do business write-offs and deductions impact a buyer's borrowing power? 7. What role does a buyer's credit profile play when their income is harder to verify? 8. Are there specific industries or business types where you've seen self-employed buyers face more challenges getting a mortgage? For homebuyers: 1. How long had you been self-employed before you started the mortgage process, and did timing matter? 2. What documents did your lender require, and was anything on that list a surprise? 3. Did you work with a mortgage broker, go directly to a bank, or try both — and what would you recommend to others? 4. Were you ever denied or asked to jump through extra hoops that a salaried employee wouldn't have faced? 5. How did you determine how much house you could afford given that your income isn't a fixed salary? 6. Looking back, what would you have done differently to make the process smoother? 7. Did being self-employed affect the type of loan you got or the interest rate you were offered?