How to get a mortgage without a traditional salary or employment history

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

1. 1
   using broker margin accounts to reinvest
2. 2
   executing options box spreads
3. 3
   applying for unsecured personal loans
4. 4
   borrowing from friends with private interest agreements
5. 5
   Waiting another year to show more consistent income
6. 6
   Exploring asset-depletion loans or bank statement loans
7. 7
   Amending tax returns to show higher income and pay more taxes
8. 8
   Putting a spouse's name on loans
9. 9
   Paying cash for major purchases
10. 10
    Using retailer financing promotions or store cards

In their words

Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.