A question for the mortgage lending types around here. I'm in the middle of doing a refi with my Big, Evil bank. The process is well into the underwriting review and I've been asked kind of weird question.
I am self-employed and have been for over 10 years. My income history is solid, although it has ebbed and flowed a bit, as these things do. Combined with my DH, we have been at or above 6 figures in income for many years. We also have $750,000 in combined invested assets, so we're a pretty good bet on a $225,000 mortgage.
Between 2017 and 2018, my business income dropped $21,000 and the underwriters want to know why. The true answer is because I decided to work less :) I dropped one contract and my DH started to claim Social Security to make up the income difference. I'm assuming I should not tell the underwriters the whole truth!
Any suggestions for words and phrases I can use to appease their delicate sensibilities?