Totally agree with politely pushing back—I've done that myself and it usually helps. Another thing I've found useful is keeping a simple spreadsheet or digital folder with key docs organized by year and type. Doesn't take much effort, and when lenders ask for something random, I can quickly check if I have it or confidently say I don't. Saves a ton of stress and avoids that frantic digging through old boxes in the basement...
Keeping docs digitally organized definitely helps, but honestly, I've found that lenders sometimes ask for stuff I never even thought to save. Like last year, my bank randomly wanted proof of a minor roof repair from five years ago—who keeps that handy? Ended up calling the contractor, who luckily still had records. So yeah, organization is great, but sometimes you just can't anticipate everything lenders might throw at you...
Haha, lenders really do have a knack for pulling the most random requests out of thin air. I swear, sometimes it feels like they're just testing our sanity. Had a client once whose lender asked for receipts from landscaping work done three summers prior—like, who even remembers what they planted last spring, let alone three years ago? You're definitely not alone in this madness...just gotta roll with the punches and keep your contractor's number handy, apparently.
"Had a client once whose lender asked for receipts from landscaping work done three summers prior—like, who even remembers what they planted last spring, let alone three years ago?"
Haha, seriously, lenders can be something else. Reminds me of a deal I had last year where the lender suddenly decided they needed proof of a roof replacement from five years earlier. FIVE years. The seller had moved twice since then and barely remembered the contractor's name, let alone had receipts handy. We ended up tracking down the roofing company through some old emails and Facebook stalking (no joke). Felt more like detective work than mortgage brokering at that point...
I get it though—lenders have their reasons, even if they seem totally random to us. But sometimes I swear they're just sitting around a conference table brainstorming ways to make our lives harder. Gotta love this business, right?
I can definitely relate to this. When I refinanced last year, the lender suddenly wanted documentation for a deck repair from four years earlier. Took days digging through old emails and bank statements... felt like an audit rather than refinancing.
"Felt more like detective work than mortgage brokering at that point..."
Exactly my experience. Sometimes it seems lenders are overly cautious, but I suppose better safe than sorry.
