Title: Finding the Right Balance with Documentation
I see where you're coming from about sticking to the checklist, but I think there are some situations where a little extra context can actually help—especially if there are potential red flags in your financial history. I've worked with clients who had unusual income sources or recent job changes, and proactively providing a brief letter of explanation or a supporting document (even if not specifically requested) sometimes made the underwriter's job easier. It’s a bit of a judgment call, though.
There was one case where a client had a big deposit that wasn’t payroll-related. Instead of waiting for the underwriter to flag it, we included a short note and a copy of the check. That actually sped things up, since we answered the question before it even came up. But I get it—dumping a pile of old tax returns or irrelevant paperwork just creates confusion. It’s easy to overdo it.
I guess my approach is to stick to the checklist as a baseline, but if there’s anything out of the ordinary in your finances, be ready to address it head-on. Sometimes less is more, but sometimes “just enough” is best. It’s all about anticipating what could raise eyebrows and dealing with it before it becomes an issue.
In the end, every loan file is different. Some lenders are stricter than others, and sometimes you don’t know what’ll get flagged until you’re knee-deep in the process. I’d rather err on the side of caution and be prepared to explain anything unusual, rather than risk a last-minute scramble if the underwriter starts asking questions. Just my two cents...
Honestly, I’ve always wondered where that line is between “just enough” and “way too much.” I mean, I get what you’re saying about being proactive—like you said:
Instead of waiting for the underwriter to flag it, we included a short note and a copy of the check. That actually sped things up, since we answered the question before it even came up.
That makes sense. But sometimes I feel like if I send extra stuff, it just opens the door for more questions, you know? Last time I bought a place, I thought I was being helpful by sending in all these old pay stubs and random docs... next thing you know, they’re asking me about a $200 Venmo from two years ago. Talk about overkill.
I guess my rule now is: if it’s weird or big, explain it. If it’s not on their list, probably leave it out. Anyone else ever have underwriters dig into totally irrelevant stuff just because you sent it? Maybe I’m just paranoid, but sometimes less really is more.
You nailed it with, "
"—that’s basically the golden rule I’ve landed on too. I used to go overboard thinking more info would make things smoother, but honestly, it just led to more hoops to jump through. Underwriters are like bloodhounds for anything that looks “off,” even if it’s ancient history or totally irrelevant.if it’s weird or big, explain it. If it’s not on their list, probably leave it out.
My last refi, I included a bunch of old docs just to be thorough... and yep, suddenly they wanted explanations for every random transfer in my checking account. Now, I stick to what they ask for and only add notes if there’s something unusual (like a big deposit or a one-off payment). It keeps things cleaner and less stressful.
You’re not paranoid—sometimes less really is more with these folks. Just hit the checklist, clarify anything out of the ordinary, and don’t feel bad about leaving out the rest. You’re definitely not alone in this.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience a couple times. Once, I left out a couple “irrelevant” docs because they weren’t on the list, and the underwriter circled back asking for them anyway—then it turned into a bigger hassle because it looked like I was hiding something. Now, I tend to over-explain just a bit, especially if there’s anything even slightly unusual. It’s a pain, but I’d rather preempt the questions than have them come back later when we’re up against a deadline. Maybe it depends on the lender or how picky your underwriter is, but I’ve found a little extra context can sometimes save time in the long run... even if it feels like overkill.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this too. Sometimes it feels like you’re sending in half your life story, but I’ve watched deals slow to a crawl just because someone tried to “keep it simple” and left out a random bank statement or explanation. Underwriters can be a bit like detectives—if there’s a gap or something looks off, they’ll dig. I usually tell folks: if you think it might raise an eyebrow, just toss in a quick note or doc. Saves everyone a headache later. That said, yeah, some lenders are way more relaxed... others want every receipt since 2009. Just depends.