Has anyone here actually had a lender skip steps because of a high score? I’ve never seen it happen, but maybe there are exceptions out there...
I’ve bought two homes now, both times with a credit score over 800, and I can’t say it made the process any less paperwork-heavy. The underwriters still wanted every pay stub, tax return, and bank statement—sometimes more than once. Maybe you get a slightly better rate or faster pre-approval, but in my experience, no one’s skipping steps just because your score is high. It really does feel like they’re double-checking everything just in case something changed since you started the process.
Honestly, even with a stellar score, you’re still running the same mortgage obstacle course as everyone else. Underwriters are like detectives—they want every detail, no matter how shiny your credit looks. Maybe you get a little less grilling on the rate, but paperwork? No shortcuts there.
Title: Does having a top-notch credit score really make home buying easier?
- You nailed it about the paperwork grind. Even with an 800+ score, I’ve had underwriters ask for everything short of my kindergarten report card.
- That said, the top-tier credit does help in a couple of key spots:
- Better shot at the lowest rates, which adds up over 30 years.
- Sometimes a little more flexibility on debt-to-income ratios or reserves, but not always.
- The process itself? Still a slog. Lenders want to see every document, every account, and if anything looks off—even a $50 deposit—they’ll want an explanation letter.
- In my experience, the only real “shortcut” is maybe less back-and-forth on credit-related issues. But income, assets, job history... those still get dissected.
- Honestly, it’s kind of wild how much they dig in, even for folks with spotless records. But hey, that’s just the system.
Hang in there—it’s frustrating, but once you’re through, it’s worth it.
Couldn’t agree more about the paperwork circus—it’s wild. I refinanced last year with a 790 score and still had to explain a random Venmo transfer from my mom. Credit helps, but it’s no magic key. Still, you’re right: once you’re done, the relief is real.
Yeah, the paperwork grind is brutal no matter your score. I had a similar thing—had to dig up a two-year-old PayPal receipt for a $50 transfer. Having a high score definitely gets you better rates and maybe a smoother pre-approval, but lenders still want to know every detail. It’s like they’re looking for any reason to slow things down. Still, I’d rather have the good credit than not... just wish it made the process less of a headache.
