Yeah, I totally get the anxiety around this. I was digging through boxes for a pay stub from 2017 and thought, “Is this really necessary?” But from what I’ve seen, lenders are usually flexible if you’re missing something super old. It’s stressful, but not a dealbreaker.
- Totally relate to the document scramble—felt like I was prepping for a tax audit or something.
- From my research, most lenders just want to see a consistent income history, not every single piece of paper since forever.
- I kept stressing over one missing W-2 from 2016... turned out they didn’t even ask for it.
- It’s easy to spiral, but missing an old stub probably won’t tank your approval.
- If you’re organized with recent stuff, that seems to matter way more.
Honestly, stressing over every single document is just a waste of energy. Lenders care way more about your last couple years’ income and whether you’re steady, not that random pay stub from 2015. I kept a folder with my last two W-2s, recent paychecks, and bank statements—never got asked for anything older. If you’re missing some ancient paperwork, don’t sweat it. Focus on what matters now.
I get where you’re coming from, and yeah, nobody’s asking for pay stubs from a decade ago. But I’ve seen lenders throw curveballs, especially if your income isn’t super straightforward. When I bought in Dallas last year, they wanted my last two years’ W-2s, but then they also asked for a letter explaining a random gap in my employment from three years back. Not exactly ancient history, but it caught me off guard.
I’m all for not stressing over every scrap of paper, but it’s wild how picky underwriters can get if anything looks “off.” My advice? Keep your basics organized, but maybe have a quick list of explanations ready for any weird blips in your work or banking history. Saves a ton of back-and-forth later. Guess it’s all about finding that sweet spot between over-prepping and being caught totally off guard.
it’s wild how picky underwriters can get if anything looks “off.”
You’re not wrong there. I’ve seen folks with solid credit and steady jobs still get grilled over a two-week gap or a random deposit. It’s not always logical, either—sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for a reason to slow things down. I always tell people: expect the unexpected, especially in Dallas where lenders seem extra cautious lately. Having your story straight for any “blips” is honestly half the battle.
