I’ve found that even when I triple-check everything, there’s always some random document they suddenly need that wasn’t mentioned before.
That’s been my experience too. I started keeping a running folder (physical and digital) with every possible doc—tax returns, pay stubs, insurance, you name it. If they ask for something new, I add it to my “next time” checklist. It doesn’t stop the curveballs, but at least I’m not digging through old emails at midnight. The “black hole” vibe is real though... sometimes I wonder if my emails just evaporate.
Yeah, I hear you. Even with the most organized system, they’ll still toss in a last-minute doc request just to keep us on our toes. It’s honestly wild how unpredictable the process can get. At least you’ve got a system—some folks just wing it and hope for the best... not my style.
You nailed it—no matter how many checklists you’ve got, there’s always that curveball right before closing. I’ve seen underwriters ask for the wildest stuff at the eleventh hour, like a random bank statement from six months ago. Drives me nuts, but I guess it’s just part of the game. Winging it? That’s a recipe for disaster in my book. At least with a system, you’ve got a fighting chance when things get weird.
- I get the need for systems, but honestly, no checklist has ever saved me from a last-minute lender freakout.
- Sometimes it feels like the more you prep, the more random the requests get.
- Had a deal where they wanted proof my dog was insured—yeah, really.
- I just expect the weirdness now and budget time for nonsense.
- Systems help, sure, but there’s always something you can’t plan for. Maybe it’s less about the checklist and more about how fast you can adapt when it goes sideways.
I hear you on the unpredictability. No matter how many checklists I run through, there’s always some curveball—like the time a lender wanted a notarized letter from my neighbor confirming my mailbox location. Not kidding.
With escrow advances, I’ve found it’s even more of a wild card. The process can look straightforward on paper, but lenders and title companies seem to invent new hoops every time. I do keep systems in place, but honestly, it’s more about having backup docs ready and being mentally prepared for nonsense requests.
One thing that’s helped: keeping a running log of the oddball asks from past deals. It doesn’t prevent surprises, but at least I’m not blindsided when someone wants proof of flood insurance for a property that’s nowhere near water... Adaptability really is the name of the game here. Checklists are great, but flexibility (and maybe a sense of humor) goes further when things get weird.
