Honestly, hoarding every PDF isn't always the best move... lenders can drown you in paperwork if you let them. Instead, push back politely—ask why they need it. Sometimes they'll waive the request or accept something simpler. Saves sanity and desktop space.
"Instead, push back politely—ask why they need it."
Good advice, but honestly, some lenders just seem to love their paperwork. Last time I tried pushing back, they doubled down on the docs... Anyone had luck getting them to ease up without causing delays?
I've found that lenders who are overly fixated on paperwork rarely budge, no matter how politely you push back. Last time I questioned the necessity of certain docs, they just cited "policy" and dug their heels in. Maybe it's more about finding the right lender from the start rather than trying to change their process mid-stream... Has anyone noticed if smaller lenders or credit unions tend to be more flexible on documentation requirements?
Smaller lenders and credit unions can definitely be more flexible, especially if you build a good relationship upfront. I've found they're less rigid on docs because they often keep loans in-house, so they're not bound by strict investor guidelines. Worth checking out a few local options...
I've had mixed experiences with smaller lenders, honestly. One local credit union was super flexible and barely blinked at some minor doc issues I had. But another small lender I approached was surprisingly strict—almost more than the big banks. Seems like it really depends on the individual lender's internal policies or even who's handling your file that day. Definitely worth shopping around, but don't assume smaller always means easier... Have you found certain types of local lenders more open to flexibility?
