I've actually dealt with this exact scenario recently when refinancing my home. Here's what I've noticed:
- Most lenders these days are pretty comfortable accepting digital copies, especially PDFs or scanned versions of docs. As long as the scans are clear, complete, and readable, they're usually fine.
- The only times I've seen pushback is when the documents look questionable—like blurry scans or weird cropping. They might ask for originals or better-quality scans then.
- Also, certain legal docs (like notarized affidavits or original promissory notes) might still require actual paper originals, depending on your lender and local rules.
- My advice: always keep your important docs digitally stored but well-organized, clearly labeled, and in high-quality scans. If a lender does push back, it's usually resolved quickly by just rescanning or clarifying something small.
Honestly, having digital copies saved me a ton of hassle during my refi. Never had a significant issue, just minor hiccups here and there.
Good points overall. I've had lenders who were fine with digital docs, but one time I got a super picky underwriter who insisted on originals for almost everything—even stuff that seemed trivial. It was annoying, but like you said, clear scans usually do the trick. Keeping organized digital copies definitely helps smooth things out...most of the time. Glad your refi went smoothly though, that's always a relief.
Yeah, I've run into that too—most lenders these days are fine with digital docs, but every now and then you get someone who's stuck in the past. Had one underwriter who insisted on original signatures for a simple payoff statement...talk about overkill. But you're right, clear scans usually keep things moving smoothly.
One thing I'd add is that having a solid naming convention for your digital files can save you a ton of headaches later. I learned this the hard way after scrambling to find docs during a tight closing window. Now I label everything clearly by date and document type—makes it way easier when lenders ask for random stuff at the last minute.
Glad your refi went well though; always nice when things wrap up without drama.
"Now I label everything clearly by date and document type—makes it way easier when lenders ask for random stuff at the last minute."
Totally agree on the naming convention thing. I once spent half a day digging through poorly labeled PDFs for a HELOC application...lesson learned. Now it's all neatly organized folders and filenames—sanity restored.
Same here—learned the hard way during my refi. A few extra tips that helped me:
- Keep a separate folder for tax docs related to HELOC or refinancing—makes tax season way less stressful.
- Add short notes in filenames if something's unusual ("corrected," "final," etc.).
- Cloud backup everything...just in case.
Might seem like overkill, but it's saved me more than once when lenders asked for docs I thought they'd never need again.
