Honestly, it does feel like a bit of a lottery sometimes. I’ve seen clients breeze through with minimal questions, then others get bogged down in endless requests. Even with everything lined up, you’re right—last-minute curveballs happen. It’s frustrating, but I guess some lenders are just more risk-averse than others. Ever notice how even the same bank can have different underwriters asking for totally different stuff? Makes you wonder if consistency is even possible in this process...
Ever notice how even the same bank can have different underwriters asking for totally different stuff? Makes you wonder if consistency is even possible in this process...
You nailed it with that. I’ve been through the wringer more than once, and honestly, it’s wild how much depends on which underwriter you get. One time, I had two loans with the same lender—same week, nearly identical docs—and one closed smooth as butter while the other dragged on for weeks over some random employment letter. It’s not just frustrating; it makes planning almost impossible.
I get that lenders have to manage risk, especially with H1B clients, but sometimes it feels like they’re making up new hoops as they go. Still, I wouldn’t say consistency is a total lost cause. If you find a loan officer who actually knows their stuff and communicates well, it can make a world of difference. But yeah, there’s always that element of unpredictability... part of the game, I guess. Just gotta keep your paperwork tight and expect a few curveballs along the way.
It’s honestly like playing mortgage roulette, isn’t it? You think you’ve got all your ducks in a row, then—bam—someone wants a letter from your boss, your boss’s boss, and maybe even your neighbor’s dog. I’ve seen underwriters ask for the most random stuff, and sometimes it feels like they’re just trying to keep themselves entertained.
I totally get the risk management angle, especially with H1B folks, but sometimes I wonder if there’s a secret underwriter bingo card we don’t know about. Like, “Today I’ll ask for a visa stamp from 2017... just because.” The inconsistency can be maddening. One client of mine had two nearly identical files—same income, same employer, both on H1B—and one underwriter wanted a mountain of extra docs while the other barely blinked. No rhyme or reason.
But you’re right, a good loan officer can make a huge difference. Some are absolute wizards at smoothing things over or anticipating what’s coming. Others... well, let’s just say they’re still looking for the “any” key on their keyboard.
Here’s a question: do you think some of this is just human nature? Like, no matter how many checklists or guidelines they have, people interpret rules differently. Maybe that’s why we see so much variation—even within the same bank. Or maybe it’s just the universe’s way of keeping us humble.
Either way, I always tell folks: treat every mortgage like it’s your first rodeo. Keep every document, expect weird requests, and don’t take it personally when you get asked for something that makes zero sense. At least it keeps things interesting... right?
You nailed it with the “mortgage roulette” bit. I’ve refinanced twice in the last five years and every time it’s a new flavor of weird. One time they wanted a signed letter from my employer, the next time nobody even checked my paystubs. It’s honestly wild how much it depends on who you get. I do think a lot of it comes down to human interpretation—some underwriters are just naturally more suspicious or by-the-book. But hey, at least you’re not alone in this circus. Hang in there... eventually you just learn to laugh at the nonsense.
Yeah, the inconsistency is wild. One week it’s “we need your whole life story,” next week it’s just a couple of docs and you’re done. Underwriters are human, and some are definitely more paranoid than others. For H1B folks, it’s even trickier—sometimes they want visa copies, sometimes they barely glance at your status. I always tell people to expect a few curveballs and keep every doc handy... just in case someone decides to get extra thorough. It’s not exactly fun, but at least you get some stories out of it.
