SHS040: What The Self Employed & Freelancer Home Buying Process Is In 2026 With Jahcorrian Burkes
Intro
For most people, buying a home is already a complicated process…
But when you’re self-employed?
👉 It gets even more complicated
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Jahcorrian Burkes to break down:
Why freelancers struggle to get approved
What lenders are really looking for
And how to position yourself to actually qualify
Subscribe Now And Get Chapter 5 Of The Best Selling Book, The Anatomy Of Financial Success!
Find out about the different types of income there are and which one(s) are best for you based on your personality! Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Intro to Jahcorrian Burkes
Jahcorrian Burkes is a mortgage broker and real estate professional with years of experience helping clients buy and finance homes.
Throughout his career, he has:
Built a strong reputation in real estate
Helped clients navigate complex mortgage processes
Coached individuals and teams toward financial success
Before entering real estate, he developed his financial foundation in the insurance industry, giving him a unique perspective on long-term wealth building.
👉 Connect with Jahcorrian Burkes on LinkedIn Here
👉 Check out his book Here
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The biggest mistakes self-employed buyers make
How mortgage lenders evaluate freelancers
Why documentation is everything
The role of networking in generating business
How to build referral-based income
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback
The Biggest Challenge for Self-Employed Buyers
One of the biggest issues?
👉 Not being fully transparent upfront
As Jahcorrian explains:
Many self-employed individuals don’t disclose everything
Income structures can be more complex
This creates delays—or even deal failures
For example:
Someone might submit W-2 income…
But later it turns out:
👉 They actually own the business
Which changes EVERYTHING in underwriting
Why This Matters
When lenders discover new information late:
More paperwork is required
Timelines get pushed back
Deals can fall apart
Why Self-Employment Makes Things Harder
Unlike traditional employees:
👉 Your income isn’t “simple”
Lenders often require:
Business tax returns
Personal tax returns
Profit & loss statements
Consistent income history
Translation
👉 You have to prove stability
Even if you’re making good money
The Power of Preparation
One key takeaway from this episode:
👉 The process is MUCH easier if you prepare early
That means:
Keeping accurate records
Understanding how lenders think
Structuring your income properly
Networking = Leads (And Opportunities)
One of the most valuable parts of this episode is how Jahcorrian generates business:
👉 Through networking groups
He highlights organizations like BNI (Business Network International) where:
Business owners meet weekly
Share referrals
Build relationships
How It Works
Each industry has one “seat”
Members refer clients to each other
Everyone benefits from shared networks
Why This Matters for Side Hustlers
If you’re self-employed:
👉 Networking can replace paid ads
Instead of chasing leads:
You build relationships
People bring leads to you
His Lead Generation Strategy (This Is Key)
Jahcorrian’s business is built on:
👉 Word of mouth
Specifically:
Referrals from past clients
Referrals from real estate agents
Relationships built through networking
Why This Works
These leads are:
Warmer
More qualified
Easier to close
He even mentions:
👉 70–80% close rates on referral leads
The “Do More Than You’re Paid For” Rule
This is one of the most important principles from the episode:
👉 Always overdeliver
Because when you do:
Clients trust you
They refer you
Your business grows organically
Quantity vs Quality in Sales
There are two main approaches:
1. Volume-Based Sales
Talk to a lot of people
Close a small percentage
2. Relationship-Based Sales
Fewer clients
Higher trust
More referrals
Jahcorrian leans toward:
👉 Relationship-based selling
Which leads to:
Repeat business
Referral pipelines
Less need for constant prospecting
How This Applies to You
If you’re self-employed or freelancing:
👉 You don’t need MORE leads
You need:
Better positioning
Better relationships
Better systems
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Jahcorrian Burkes make one thing clear:
👉 Being self-employed doesn’t disqualify you from buying a home
But…
👉 You DO have to be more intentional
If you:
Keep clean records
Understand the process
Build strong relationships
You’ll not only qualify…
👉 You’ll put yourself in a position to win long-term