Honestly, I wish it was just a myth. In my experience, underwriters want receipts for everything—like they're prepping for an audit every day. I've had maybe one or two cases where a solid, detailed letter did the trick, but even then, they circled back for docs later. It's gotten to the point where I tell clients to assume they'll need to back up every explanation with paperwork. Saves a lot of headaches down the line... Just part of the game now, I guess.
Honestly, I get where you're coming from, but I've actually seen a few underwriters accept a well-written letter—especially for stuff like one-time deposits or job gaps. Not saying it's the norm, but sometimes a clear story helps. Like you said:
I've had maybe one or two cases where a solid, detailed letter did the trick, but even then, they circled back for docs later.
In my experience, if you prep clients to be upfront and organized, it can smooth things out. Not every file turns into a paperwork scavenger hunt, though it sure feels that way some weeks...
Honestly, I’ve had underwriters accept a good letter too, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Last year, I had a deal where the buyer explained a weird deposit with a detailed letter—seemed airtight. Still, they wanted backup docs two days before closing. It’s wild how much hinges on the underwriter’s mood or risk tolerance that week... prepping clients for paperwork chaos is just part of the game now.
It’s wild how unpredictable underwriters can be. I’ve had files where I thought we’d covered every base—letters, docs, the works—and then last minute they want some random bank statement from six months ago. Drives me nuts. I always tell buyers: over-prepare, expect the unexpected, and don’t take it personally if they ask for something that seems totally out of left field. It’s not about you, it’s just how the system works these days.
Honestly, I’ve seen underwriters ask for things that made me double-check if I’d missed something obvious, only to realize it’s just their process. It’s frustrating, but I get why they’re so thorough—one missed detail can derail the whole deal. Still, sometimes I wonder if all this extra documentation actually reduces risk or just adds stress for everyone involved. Has anyone ever had a deal fall through just because of a last-minute doc request?
