Yeah, that tracks with what I’ve seen. Lenders usually don’t care about small stuff unless it’s a pattern or looks weird. But every now and then, you get someone super thorough who’ll question even a $100 Venmo. It’s wild how inconsistent it can be.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. It’s like, one lender barely glances at your statements, and the next is combing through every line like they’re looking for buried treasure. I had a friend get flagged for a $75 PayPal transfer—turns out it was just splitting dinner. Honestly, I always tell folks to keep their accounts boring for a few months before applying, just in case. Better safe than sorry, right?
Honestly, I get the idea of keeping things simple, but sometimes it feels a bit overboard to scrub your accounts clean just for a mortgage. Lenders should be able to tell the difference between normal life stuff and actual red flags, right? I’ve had underwriters ask about the weirdest things—once it was a $20 Venmo for “dog treats.” It’s frustrating, but I’m not convinced you need to change your whole routine unless you’re doing something truly unusual.
Honestly, I get where you're coming from—it does seem like overkill sometimes. But from experience, underwriters are just wired to flag anything out of the ordinary, even if it’s harmless. I usually tell folks: don’t overhaul your life, but do a quick scan for anything that might look odd to someone who doesn’t know you. If you can explain it (like “dog treats”), you’re probably fine. The key is just being ready with a simple answer when they ask. It’s annoying, but it keeps things moving.
Honestly, I’ve been through the Dallas homebuying process twice now, and I still get tripped up by what underwriters flag. The first time, I had a Venmo payment from my sister labeled “for the thing,” and they wanted a full explanation. It felt ridiculous at the time, but I get it—they’re just trying to make sure nothing shady’s going on. Still, it can feel like you’re under a microscope for no good reason.
I do agree with giving your accounts a once-over before you submit anything. But I wouldn’t stress too much about every little thing. If you’ve got a weird transfer or something that looks out of place, just have a quick note ready. I once had to explain a $200 deposit from selling an old bike on Facebook Marketplace. They just wanted to know it wasn’t a loan or anything that would affect my debt-to-income ratio.
One thing I’d add—if you’re self-employed or have side gigs, expect even more questions. They’ll want to see proof of income, sometimes for years back. That part can be a real headache if your paperwork isn’t organized. I learned the hard way to keep all my 1099s and invoices in one folder.
It’s definitely annoying, but I’d rather deal with a few extra questions than have something pop up last minute and delay closing. Anyone else ever have them ask about something totally random? I swear, one time they questioned a recurring $12 charge for my dog’s monthly chew toy box. Had to send them a screenshot of the subscription. Felt silly, but it worked.
At the end of the day, as long as you can explain it, you’re usually fine. Just don’t let the process freak you out too much. It’s not personal—it’s just their job to be nosy.
