Totally agree—less is more with underwriters. I’ve seen clients get tripped up by sending “helpful” extras that just confuse things. One thing I’d add: if you’re self-employed, double-check what counts as proof of income. Lenders can be picky about that, and it’s not always obvious. The portals really could use a redesign... sometimes feels like uploading docs is a test in patience.
It’s wild how often “extra” documentation just muddies the waters. I’ve had deals stall because someone thought more info would help, but it just raised new questions from the underwriter. On the self-employed side, I’ve noticed lenders sometimes want year-over-year consistency, not just a fat recent invoice. The portals... yeah, they’re clunky. You’d think with all the tech out there, uploading a PDF wouldn’t feel like a mini obstacle course.
Yeah, I hear you on the “more is less” thing with docs. Sometimes folks think if they just throw every statement and invoice at the lender, it’ll speed things up, but in reality it can just confuse the process. I’ve seen underwriters latch onto a random deposit and suddenly you’re explaining your cousin’s Venmo payment from six months ago. Honestly, less is more—stick to what they ask for and nothing extra unless they specifically request it. And those portals... don’t get me started. You’d think uploading a W-2 wouldn’t feel like running a gauntlet in 2024, but here we are.
“I’ve seen underwriters latch onto a random deposit and suddenly you’re explaining your cousin’s Venmo payment from six months ago.”
Nailed it. I’ve had to dig up explanations for $50 transfers that had nothing to do with anything. Less is definitely more—just give them what they want, no more, no less. Those portals are a pain, but at least it’s (sometimes) better than chasing paper copies.
It’s wild how granular they get—last time I refinanced, I had to explain a $30 PayPal from a friend for concert tickets. Honestly, I started keeping a running note on my phone for any odd deposits just in case. The portals are clunky, but at least you can upload and move on instead of mailing stacks of paper. Still, I wish they’d focus on the big stuff and not every coffee money transfer.
