the “streamlined” process is more like a scavenger hunt half the time
That’s honestly the perfect way to describe it. I remember during my last refinance, I had to upload the same pay stub to three different portals because apparently each department needed it in a “slightly different format.” At one point, they asked for a bank statement from an account I’d closed two years prior—no idea how that was supposed to help.
I’ve started keeping both digital and paper copies of everything, just in case. It does feel a bit overkill, but after having a deal nearly fall through because a document “wasn’t legible enough,” I don’t take chances. Fax machines are still a mystery to me—every time someone requests a fax, I have to hunt down a UPS store or something.
It’s odd how much of the process is still stuck in the past, even when everything’s supposed to be digital now. I get that they need to be thorough, but sometimes it feels like they’re just making sure you’re paying attention.
Honestly, the “streamlined” part always cracks me up. Here’s what I do now:
- Keep a folder on my desktop labeled “Mortgage Nonsense” with every doc scanned in triplicate.
- If they want a fax, I just take a pic with my phone and hope for the best—no one’s ever complained.
- I’ve had underwriters ask for stuff that doesn’t even exist anymore, like a W-2 from a job I left before smartphones were a thing.
- Agree on the legibility thing—one time they said my PDF was “too blurry,” but it was literally the download from my bank.
Feels like half the process is just proving you’re organized enough to own a house.
That “Mortgage Nonsense” folder idea is honestly genius—I might have to steal that. I’ve had to resend the same bank statement three times because they said it was “missing a page,” even though it was literally the only page my bank gave me. The fax thing cracks me up too... who still owns a fax machine? It really does feel like a test of how many hoops you’re willing to jump through, not just your finances. At least it makes finally getting the keys feel like an Olympic win.
I totally get the “missing page” thing—my lender kept asking for a “voided check” and I had to Google what that even was. I started making a checklist for every doc they wanted, but it still felt like a moving target. Has anyone figured out a way to keep track of all the random requests without losing their mind?
I started making a checklist for every doc they wanted, but it still felt like a moving target.
Man, I swear lenders invent new documents just to keep us on our toes. I had a spreadsheet, sticky notes, and still managed to miss something every week. At one point, I just started a folder called “Stuff They’ll Probably Ask For Next.” Didn’t help much, but at least I felt organized... sort of.
