If you decide to refinance @Thaddeus Ramirez and want to do so conventionally it will be more of an uphill battle being self employed as I am sure you know.

If you are willing to work seriously at it there are many exit strategys to employ to move forward with your goals. 

Do check out their employment history and verify income.  

However, in another year I'll be vested in a pension through my employer and they will make automatic contributions without a required matching contribution from me. 

Local economy, major employers, crime rate by area, appreciation history, default history, possible environmental hazards.

A Solo 401k is a similar program, but designed for folks who qualify by being both self-employed and having no full time employees.Do some reading here on BP and then reach out to some of the professionals you will find here to learn more.  

As an investor and Direct Lender we are out in the field throughout the State regularly educating investors about a host of topics including using leverage, market cycles & the appropriate exit strategies to employ in each, as well as key economic indicators that we must focus on to grow and insulate our businesses from "boom & bust" periods which we've experienced regularly over the last 200 years.  

I always refer out my good vendors, and so far they have always been very grateful and I get the benefit of priority, small freebies, and overall better work.With referrals, you are still a source of income as a customer, but you are also a source of income as advertisement, making you more valuable to them.If you have enough work to keep them nearly full time employed then it may be a different scenario.

I am in NO way a tax expert I hire those.. but to me it would be like commission income or ordinary income subject to self employment tax... at least I think.. ?

The 401K loan willl also not show on the credit report, but it will show on the paystub or when they order a Verification of Employment (VOE) from your employer.