I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, sometimes I think the “just send everything” approach can backfire too. When I refinanced last year, I dumped a ton of docs in the portal thinking I was being thorough, and it actually led to more questions. They got hung up on an old account I’d closed years ago—if I’d just sent what they asked for, maybe it wouldn’t have even come up. Sometimes less is more, or at least more targeted. It’s a weird balance, for sure.
Yeah, I’ve run into that too. Last time I bought, I tried to be proactive and uploaded every financial doc I could think of. Ended up with the underwriter asking about a random savings account from college—total headache. Sometimes sticking to their checklist really is the way to go.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience.
Last time I refinanced, I only uploaded what was on their list, and then they kept coming back for more stuff anyway—like, “Oh, now we need your last two years of utility bills” out of nowhere. I almost wish I’d just dumped everything in at the start. Maybe it depends on the lender? I feel like no matter what, they’ll find something to ask about...Sometimes sticking to their checklist really is the way to go.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this. One time, I tried to be the “model borrower” and uploaded every document I could think of—pay stubs, tax returns, even my dog’s vaccination records (kidding… mostly). Still got hit with random requests like, “Can you send a letter explaining that $50 Venmo transfer from last year?” It’s almost like they’re playing document scavenger hunt. Maybe it’s just the nature of the beast? Or maybe lenders just love paperwork more than we’ll ever understand...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from—it can feel like the paperwork never ends. But I don’t think it’s just lenders loving paperwork for its own sake. A lot of the time, those weird requests pop up because underwriters have to document every little thing that could look “off” to an auditor later. I’ve seen a $10 PayPal transfer hold up a file because it wasn’t clear if it was a gift or a side hustle payment. It’s not always logical, but it’s usually about covering every base. Does it make the process fun? Not really… but it does keep things moving (eventually).