Title: Foundation Docs Are a Headache, But Don’t Forget Credit Surprises
I get why everyone’s focused on the foundation paperwork—those repairs can be a huge deal in Dallas. But honestly, I think people sometimes overestimate how much lenders care about the *details* of those docs, especially if your credit isn’t spotless. Like, yeah, they’ll want to see receipts and warranties, but if your debt-to-income is borderline or you’ve got a couple late payments lurking on your report, that’s what’ll really slow things down. I’ve seen buyers scramble for every last engineer’s note while their loan gets hung up over a random old collection.
Also, not every seller is as organized as we’d like. Sometimes you just can’t get all the paperwork upfront—especially if the repairs were done years ago or by someone who’s moved out of state. I’ve had to dig through old emails and even call contractors directly. It’s annoying, but it happens.
One thing I’d add: don’t just rely on the seller to hand you everything. Pull your own credit early and see if there’s anything weird that might pop up during underwriting. I know it’s not as exciting as talking about cracks in the slab, but lenders are way less forgiving about credit surprises than missing repair receipts.
And about those “one-time transfer” warranties... I wish more people realized how easy it is for those to get voided by accident. Sometimes just forgetting to file a form after closing means you’re out of luck. I’d rather have a solid inspection and some proof of work than a warranty that might not even be valid.
Anyway, yeah—foundation docs matter, but don’t let them distract you from the bigger picture with your loan. There’s always something unexpected in these deals...
I’ve seen buyers scramble for every last engineer’s note while their loan gets hung up over a random old collection.
That’s so true. I spent way more time stressing about foundation docs than my credit, and then the lender flagged a medical bill I didn’t even know about. Has anyone actually had luck getting sellers to track down old repair receipts, or is it usually a lost cause?
the lender flagged a medical bill I didn’t even know about
Yeah, that happened to me too. It’s wild how something tiny can mess up the whole process. As for sellers tracking down old receipts, I’ve had mixed luck. Sometimes they dig them up, but usually it’s just a stack of faded papers or nothing at all. Honestly, I started focusing more on cleaning up my credit after that—felt like a better use of energy.
It’s wild how a $50 medical bill from years ago can derail your mortgage approval, but that’s the reality. I’d argue it’s worth checking your credit reports every few months, not just before buying. Those “surprise” dings are way too common. Sellers’ paperwork is hit or miss, but at least your credit’s in your control—mostly.
Yeah, it’s kinda nuts how something tiny like that can trip you up. I’ve seen folks get blindsided by old gym memberships too... not just medical stuff. Credit reports are like those “Where’s Waldo” books—except Waldo costs you points. Definitely worth keeping an eye on, even if it feels tedious.
