Waiting forever on my refinance loan approval - is this normal?

I’m right there with you on the “strategic impatience” thing. I’m in the middle of my first home purchase and it’s wild how much just falls through the cracks unless you’re on top of it. I’ve started keeping a spreadsheet with every document I’ve sent, who I sent it to, and when - just so I can reference it if someone says they’re missing something. It’s a little overkill, but at least I know where things stand.

One thing I’ve noticed: sometimes the loan officer will say everything’s good, but then underwriting pops up with a random request days later. It’s like playing whack-a-mole. I don’t think there’s any way to avoid some waiting, but being proactive definitely helps. If you haven’t already, maybe ask for a checklist of what’s still pending on your file? That’s helped me catch a couple things before they became an issue.

Honestly, I wish there was more transparency too. The process feels way more opaque than it should be for something this important.

Yeah, keeping a spreadsheet is smart - definitely not overkill in my book. I’ve been through this a couple times, and I’ve learned to double-check every single document before sending it, then follow up a few days later just to make sure it didn’t get lost in someone’s inbox. One thing I’d add: if you get a “final” checklist, ask them to confirm in writing that nothing else is needed at this stage. Sometimes they’ll still come back with more, but at least you’ve got a paper trail. It’s wild how many moving parts there are... I wish lenders would just give a live status tracker or something.

One thing I’d add: if you get a “final” checklist, ask them to confirm in writing that nothing else is needed at this stage. Sometimes they’ll still come back with more, but at least you’...

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’m not sure a paper trail always helps. Even with written confirmation, my lender still asked for extra docs out of nowhere. Felt like the checklist changed every week. Maybe it’s just the process, but it’s frustrating. A live tracker would be a game changer, though... can’t believe that’s not standard yet.

Title: Waiting forever on my refinance loan approval - is this normal?

Even with written confirmation, my lender still asked for extra docs out of nowhere. Felt like the checklist changed every week.

Totally get why that’s driving you up the wall. The “final” checklist is supposed to be just that - final - but in reality, underwriters can (and do) circle back for more info if something pops up during their review. It’s not always fair, but it’s pretty common.

A few things I’ve seen trip people up:

- Underwriting guidelines shift mid-process, especially if rates or regulations change.
- Sometimes a doc you submit raises a new question (like a deposit on a bank statement), so they ask for backup.
- Third parties - like appraisers or title companies - can cause delays or trigger new requests.

Honestly, even with everything in writing, there’s no ironclad guarantee you won’t get another email asking for “just one more thing.” It’s not great, but it’s how most lenders operate right now.

I hear you on the live tracker idea. Some lenders are starting to roll those out, but it’s definitely not industry standard yet. Would make life easier for everyone if you could see exactly where things stand instead of playing email tag.

Hang in there. As frustrating as it is, you’re not alone - this is one of the most common complaints I hear. If it helps at all, most files do eventually close, even if the process feels like a moving target. Try to keep all your docs handy and respond quickly when they do ask for something new... sometimes that shaves off a few days here and there.

Not much comfort when you’re in the thick of it, but you’re definitely not the only one feeling this way.

Haha, I swear lenders must be in a competition to see who can invent the most random last-minute document request. I once had to explain a $50 Venmo from my mom during my own refi - like, sorry, she just likes to send me gas money sometimes? Totally agree that the “final” checklist is a bit of a myth. Just keep your phone charged and your patience on standby... it’ll close eventually (probably right after you start to lose hope).

Yeah, the “final” checklist is honestly just the beginning of the end - there’s always one more thing. I’ve seen underwriters ask for explanations on $10 transfers or even a birthday check from grandma. It’s wild, but they’re just trying to make sure nothing weird is going on with your finances.

- The Venmo thing is super common now. Any random deposit, even if it’s tiny, can trigger a request.
- Sometimes it feels like they’re just stalling, but usually it’s compliance stuff or a last-minute audit.
- I always tell people: don’t move money around during the process unless you absolutely have to. Even then, be ready to explain every little thing.

Curious - did they ask you for any other oddball docs? I’ve heard some pretty funny stories about what people have had to dig up at the last minute...

It’s wild how deep they dig, right? I had to send in a screenshot of a $25 refund from a canceled pizza order - felt ridiculous, but apparently even that was “unusual activity.” I get that they’re trying to cover all the bases, but sometimes it feels like overkill. Have you ever heard of anyone being asked for, like, a letter from a roommate or something super random? I’ve heard some lenders get weirdly specific.

Yeah, I’ve heard of people being asked for roommate letters or even proof of random Venmo payments. It’s like, do they want my grocery list too? I get the need for caution, but sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for reasons to stall.

It does seem over the top at times. I’ve had lenders ask for things like dog license receipts or a letter from my cousin just because he stayed over a few nights. It’s frustrating, but honestly, the underwriters are just following their checklist - they’re usually not trying to stall on purpose. The best thing is to keep your docs organized and respond quickly when they ask for something weird. It does help move things along, even if it feels like jumping through hoops. Hang in there... it really is normal these days, even if it’s kind of ridiculous.

I get what you’re saying about the underwriters just doing their job, but sometimes it really does feel like they’re just making it up as they go. I mean, asking for a dog license? That’s a new one for me. I’ve been asked for things like a year-old utility bill or proof of a random deposit from months ago, and it always makes me wonder if they even look at half the stuff I send.

The best thing is to keep your docs organized and respond quickly when they ask for something weird.

That’s probably the only thing that keeps me sane through this process. I started keeping a folder with every possible document I could think of, just in case. Still, it’s hard not to feel like you’re being interrogated for no real reason. I get that they have to be thorough, but sometimes it just feels excessive. Guess it’s just part of the deal these days, but I do wish there was a bit more common sense in how they handle these requests.

I hear you on the interrogation vibe - it can feel like they’re just fishing for reasons to delay things. The dog license thing is wild, though. Out of curiosity, did they ever actually explain why they needed it, or was it just another box to check?

That’s a new one for me - never had a lender ask about a dog license. Are you sure it wasn’t something to do with insurance or HOA rules? Sometimes they mix up requirements, but it does sound like overkill. Maybe just someone being overly thorough?

Are you sure it wasn’t something to do with insurance or HOA rules? Sometimes they mix up requirements, but it does sound like overkill.

I’ve had lenders ask for some weird stuff - one time they wanted a copy of my water bill to “verify occupancy.” Never heard of a dog license though. Maybe the underwriter was just being extra cautious or got wires crossed with pet restrictions in the HOA docs? The process can get so tangled, especially if your file gets bounced between different people. It’s wild what they’ll ask for sometimes.

I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually seen lenders ask for pet info before - usually when there’s a breed restriction in the HOA or insurance policy. It’s rare, but not unheard of. Maybe they’re just covering all their bases? The process is definitely a maze sometimes.

Had the same thing happen during my last refi - random questions about pets, even asked if I had an aquarium. Didn’t expect that. Guess they’re just super thorough, but it does feel like overkill sometimes. The waiting is the worst part, honestly.

Yeah, the waiting is brutal. I’m in the middle of my first mortgage process and it’s honestly nerve-wracking how many random questions they throw at you. They asked me about my job history, my side gigs, even if I had any “unusual hobbies” that might affect the property? Not sure what that even means. I get that they want to cover all their bases, but sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for reasons to slow things down. Makes me double-check every little thing just in case.

They asked me about my job history, my side gigs, even if I had any “unusual hobbies” that might affect the property? Not sure what that even means.

That “unusual hobbies” bit always cracks me up. Once had a client who did woodworking in his garage - lender wanted to know if he was running a business out of there or just making birdhouses. Sometimes it feels like they’re fishing for red flags that don’t exist, but honestly, some folks really do wild stuff at home and it can impact insurance or property value. Still, the process drags way more than it should... Drives me nuts every time I see a file stuck on someone’s desk for a week just because of some oddball question.

Had a file once where the underwriter flagged “home brewing” as a potential hazard - apparently, they thought the guy was running a distillery in his basement.

Sometimes it feels like they’re fishing for red flags that don’t exist

Yeah, the underwriter process can feel pretty random sometimes. I had a friend get flagged for owning too many pets - like, seriously? Anyway, I’ve found it helps to keep a checklist of what docs they might ask for, even if it seems overkill. Has anyone here actually had a file move faster by preemptively sending extra info, or does that just confuse things more?

I’ve actually tried sending in extra documents ahead of time, thinking it’d speed things up, but honestly, it didn’t seem to make much difference. In one case, the underwriter still came back asking for something I’d already provided - guess they just have their own checklist and pace. I do think having everything organized helps when they finally ask, though. Has anyone ever had an underwriter ask for something really out of left field? I once got asked about a small Venmo transfer from months prior... felt pretty random.