First-time buyer approved after just 1 year of self-employment

Our client, a 32-year-old freelance copywriter, had recently gone self-employed after a successful career in marketing. With just one year of trading history, she had already filed her first tax return and built up a consistent stream of clients.

She was ready to take the next step purchasing her first home but was repeatedly told the same thing: “You need at least two years of accounts.”

Despite a healthy deposit, stable income, and no credit issues, mainstream lenders wouldn’t consider her. They relied on rigid rules that penalised newer self-employed applicants, ignoring the quality and stability of her work.

She felt stuck successful in her business, financially secure, but locked out of the property market.

We stepped in with a clear strategy:

• Reviewed her submitted accounts and Tax Year Overview
• Requested a projection letter from her accountant
• Gathered evidence of active contracts and bank statements to prove income consistency

We identified a lender that accepts just one year of self-employed income provided the case was well presented and the income was clearly supported.

• Full mortgage approval – no delay
• Competitive fixed rate secured
• Home purchase completed within 9 weeks
• Client gained confidence and freedom to grow her business

“I thought i’d have to wait another year. You got me into my first home when everyone else said no – and you explained every step in a way that actually made sense.”