I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think the whole “don’t move money around” advice gets a little overblown sometimes. Like, yeah, underwriters can be nitpicky, but I’ve seen people stress way too much about every little transfer. If you’ve got legit sources and you can document them, it’s not the end of the world if you have to move some cash for, say, a car repair or something unexpected.
That said, I do agree with this part:
Just be ready with the paperwork and don’t move money around unless you have to.
It’s really about being able to show a clear paper trail. I had a buddy who panicked because he got a birthday gift wired in from his aunt in Canada right before closing. He thought it would tank his loan, but all he had to do was show the wire receipt and a note from his aunt. Not ideal timing, but it worked out.
Honestly, as long as you’re organized and not hiding anything, it’s usually fine. The key is just keeping records and not freaking out over every Venmo or Zelle.
Yeah, I get what you mean about not freaking out over every tiny transfer. I was super stressed about this exact thing when we started the process—like, I even asked my loan officer if buying groceries with my debit card would mess things up. Turns out, they really just wanted explanations for anything big or out of the ordinary.
The key is just keeping records and not freaking out over every Venmo or Zelle.
I had to send in a couple bank statements and they flagged a $500 deposit from selling some old electronics. They just wanted a bill of sale and it was fine. Has anyone else had them ask for really random stuff? It’s wild how detailed they get sometimes...
The key is just keeping records and not freaking out over every Venmo or Zelle.
Yeah, I learned that the hard way. During my last home purchase, they flagged a $200 transfer from my mom—she was just paying me back for dinner, but the underwriter wanted a signed letter from her explaining it. I remember thinking, “Really? For takeout?” It felt a bit over the top, but I get why they’re so nitpicky.
I’ve also had them ask about a random $60 refund from Amazon. Had to dig up an old email just to prove it wasn’t some secret loan. Honestly, it’s kind of wild how deep they go. But like you said, as long as you keep your paperwork handy and don’t make any weird moves with your accounts, it’s usually fine. Still, I double-check everything now—paranoid, maybe, but better safe than sorry.
It’s wild what they’ll flag, right? I had a client who got questioned about a $75 deposit from a garage sale—literally just old board games. The underwriter wanted a bill of sale and a written explanation. Sometimes I think they’re looking for any excuse to slow things down, but then again, it’s their job to track every dollar. Do you remember if they asked about any cash deposits? That’s usually where things get really tricky. I always tell folks: if you can’t document it, don’t deposit it during escrow... saves a lot of headaches.
Sometimes I think they’re looking for any excuse to slow things down, but then again, it’s their job to track every dollar.
Honestly, it does feel like a game sometimes—“spot the mystery deposit.” I had a lender get hung up on a $60 Venmo from my cousin for splitting dinner. Had to dig up text messages as proof. It’s wild where they draw the line.
Cash deposits are the worst, though. The minute you drop cash in during escrow, you might as well schedule an extra week for paperwork. Even if you’ve got grandma’s handwritten birthday card as “documentation,” they’ll want more. I get why—they’re trying to prevent money laundering or whatever—but man, it can get ridiculous.
Your advice is spot on: if you can’t back it up with a paper trail, just wait until after closing. Saves everyone a lot of stress. Sometimes I wonder if they’d question finding loose change in the couch cushions...
