<prompt> Human: My husband and I would like to purchase our first home in a year or so. I have my eye on a neighborhood where 3br2ba houses built in 1985 are currently selling for 140k-160k. I am self employed, and I suspect this will be our biggest obstacle to getting approved for a mortgage.nbsp;nbsp;Since we have a year to prepare, is there anything I can do during that time to strengthen my case?nbsp;nbsp;My income: 24k last year, probably 32k this yearHusbands income: 30kCurrent savings: 10k will be at least 20k at time of purchase, plan to reserve a small emergency fund and use rest for down paymentStudent loans: 560month total balance 60kEverything else: 3200month 2 credit cards in my name, balance paid off in full every monthCars are paid off, plan to keep them for the next 5 yearsMy credit score is above 700; not sure what his is, but it is probably lower defaulted on some loans a few years ago, but have since paid them off  <response>: Your income to expense doesnt seem to match up. You make max 62kyear net or gross??, spend a minimum of 3760month and also plan to save 10k over the next 12 months? 