No W-2? No Problem: Mortgage Options You Didn’t Know You Had
Mar 17, 2026
Brendan O’Driscoll of Treadstone Breaks Down Smart Lending for Business Owners, 1099 Earners, and Investors in West Michigan
Read Time: 90 seconds
West Michigan is full of people building businesses, earning commissions, and investing in real estate—and many of them assume one thing: “I don’t have a W-2, so I can’t get a mortgage.” Not true.
In this episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux, we sat down with Brendan O’Driscoll, co-founder of Treadstone (a funding division of Neighborhood Loans), to talk about mortgage solutions designed specifically for self-employed borrowers, 1099 earners, and real estate investors.
Brendan has nearly three decades in the mortgage world and a gift for making complex lending feel simple. He walks through key “non-QM” options—loans outside traditional Fannie/Freddie/FHA/VA boxes—that can help borrowers qualify based on how they actually earn.
Here are the standout takeaways:
- DSCR loans for investors and short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO), where qualification can hinge more on the property’s cash flow than your personal W-2 income.
- Bank statement loans for self-employed people who write off expenses—using 12–24 months of deposits to show real earning power.
- 1099 loans for commission-based pros (hello, Realtors), consultants, and other independent earners.
Beyond the loan types, Brendan’s biggest advice is refreshingly human: don’t start with an online form—start with a conversation. His team prefers phone calls so they can guide you to the best option and help you avoid common mistakes.
This is the kind of practical expertise that makes West Michigan such a great place to live and invest—strong local partners, real solutions, and people who want to help you win.
📞 Have a “non-W-2” income story? Call Treadstone’s team line: 616-228-6200
🎥 Watch the full episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux to hear Brendan break it all down.
Keywords:
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