When you apply for a mortgage, the lender typically asks for your last few pay stubs as proof of employment. They may also ask for your employer's contact information so they can call your employer and verify that you are employed there. So, what if you have a less conventional income? Maybe you're self-employed, or perhaps you work part-time for a few different companies depending on the season. It is harder to find a mortgage lender to finance your home purchase when you're in this position — but it's not impossible. Here are some tips and options to consider.

Apply at small, local credit unions.

Larger banks often have stringent guidelines that have to follow in terms of who they are willing to lend to. You may not meet their standards, and they won't really work with you to make things work. At a small credit union, however, you may have more flexibility. Even if they do not usually lend to people with unusual incomes, there is likely to be someone you can sit down with in person and explain your situation. If you're able to prove you're capable of paying the mortgage, they may be willing to flex their guidelines for you a bit.

Look for banks that offer manual underwriting.

Most banks pull your credit score and use it to determine whether to lend to you and at what rate. Some banks, though, offer what's called manual underwriting. Instead of relying on a credit score, they themselves pull up all the information the credit bureau would use to give you a credit score. Since the bank is used to going into this level of detail when vetting borrowers, they may be more willing to dig through your less-conventional paperwork and figure out a way to lend to you.

Gather as much paperwork as you can.

Regardless of where you apply for a mortgage, make sure you are prepared with as much paperwork to verify your income as you're capable of finding. Any receipts from past clients, bank statements from the past few years, and tax return documents are essential. For self-employment, make a detailed profit and loss sheet. The more proof you have of your income, the more confident banks will be that it is safe to lend to you.

When you have a less conventional income, it can be harder to get a mortgage. But it's not impossible! Follow the tips above for success and contact a mortgage lender to learn more.