A non-qualified mortgage is a type of mortgage that doesn’t conform to certain standards set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). These standards mandate certain features loans may (or may not) have, and delineate certain practices lenders must follow in evaluating applicants’ finances and ability to repay.

Non-QM loans are mortgages that don’t meet the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) requirements to be considered qualified mortgages. A qualified mortgage meets the CFPB’s “ability to repay” rule, which requires that lenders vet your finances and set terms on the loan that you’re likely to be able to pay back.

A non-qualifying mortgage, also known as a non-QM loan, is a type of mortgage that does not meet the requirements of a qualified mortgage (QM). Non-QM loans are not subject to the same consumer protection regulations as QMs, which gives lenders more flexibility in who they can lend to and what terms they can offer.