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Loans & Mortgages · September 9, 2026 · 6 min read

Stated Income Loans in California (2026)

"Stated income" as it existed before 2008 is gone — but the need it served is met by better programs today.

MBBy Mike Basti, Mortgage Broker & Founder · NMLS #377740
Quick Answer

Classic stated income loans — where you simply stated income with no proof — no longer exist for owner-occupied homes due to ability-to-repay rules. Today the same borrowers qualify with bank-statement, P&L, asset-based, or DSCR programs, which verify income through alternative documents instead of a bare statement.

What 'stated income' meant — and why it ended

Before 2008, borrowers could state income without documentation. The ability-to-repay rule ended that for owner-occupied loans. Anyone advertising a true no-proof 'stated income' owner-occupied loan today should be treated with caution.

What replaced stated income

The good news

These programs are often more flexible and safer than old stated-income loans. See no-tax-return mortgages.

Frequently asked questions

Do stated income loans still exist in California?

Not in the pre-2008 form for owner-occupied homes. Bank-statement, P&L, asset-based, and DSCR loans serve the same borrowers today with proper income verification.

What is the modern version of a stated income loan?

For self-employed buyers, a bank-statement or P&L loan; for investors, a DSCR loan that qualifies on rental income.

Can investors still get something like stated income?

Yes — a DSCR loan qualifies an investment property on its rent, with no personal income documentation.