Loan Program

ITIN Loans

ITIN loans let borrowers who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number buy or refinance a home. These are portfolio programs, so guidelines and pricing vary meaningfully between lenders.

Down payment

15-25%

Credit

Traditional or alternative tradelines

Documentation

Full doc or bank statement

Occupancy

Primary and some investment

Best For

Borrowers filing with an ITIN
Established local business owners and workers
Families buying a primary residence

How It Works

ITIN card or IRS letter plus a valid photo ID establishes identity
Two years of tax filings under the ITIN, or bank statements on self-employed programs
Alternative credit (rent, utilities, insurance) can substitute for a thin credit file
Loans are held in portfolio, not sold to the agencies

Pros

Path to ownership without an SSN
Alternative credit accepted
Self-employed options available

Trade-offs

Larger down payment than agency loans
Rates above conventional
Fewer participating lenders

Frequently Asked

Do I need a Social Security number to buy a home?

No. With an ITIN, tax filings, and a down payment, several portfolio lenders will finance a primary residence.

What if I have almost no credit history?

Alternative credit works. Twelve months of rent, utility, insurance, or cell phone payment history can build a usable credit profile.

Real-World Examples

How this program actually plays out.

Sonoma County family, 20% down

A two-earner household with steady employment, ITIN tax filings, and limited traditional credit history.

Purchase price: $540,000
Down payment: 20%
Credit: Alternative tradelines
Documentation: Two years of ITIN filings

Approved on a portfolio program using rent and utility payment history in place of a deep credit file.

Examples are illustrative composites of typical files, not offers of credit or guarantees of terms. Your actual options depend on your credit, income, property, and current market pricing.

What Moves Your Rate

Down payment size, which drives pricing more than on agency loans
Depth and quality of credit history
Full documentation versus bank statement income
Reserves after closing

Documents You Will Need

ITIN card or IRS assignment letter
Valid photo identification, such as a passport or consular ID
Two years of tax returns filed under the ITIN, or 12-24 months of bank statements
Twelve months of verifiable rent or alternative credit history

Northern California Notes

How itin loans work in our market.

Strong demand across Sonoma, Napa, Solano, and Sacramento counties.
Bilingual document handling is available, and we walk families through every step in plain language.

San Francisco Marin County East Bay Sonoma County Napa County Sacramento

Is this the right program?

Have Mark run your numbers, no credit pull required.

Talk to Mark

Other Programs

Conventional Loans FHA Loans VA Loans USDA Rural Loans Jumbo Loans DSCR Investor Loans Bank Statement Loans Asset Depletion Loans Renovation Loans Fix & Flip / Bridge Loans HELOC & Equity Access Reverse Mortgages (HECM)