They actually sat down and talked through his situation—looked at his rental history, steady job, even his side hustle income. Took more paperwork, but he got approved in the end.
I get what you’re saying about credit unions, but I tried one last year and honestly, it wasn’t that different for me. They still wanted a bunch of docs and were super strict about my credit bumps. Maybe it depends on the branch or who you talk to? Just feels like sometimes it’s luck of the draw.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too—sometimes it really does come down to who’s handling your file. One branch might be flexible, another sticks to the rulebook. I’ve had underwriters get hung up on tiny credit issues, even with solid income and rental history. It’s frustrating, but I guess that’s the reality with most lenders these days... not just credit unions.
I’ve run into that too, and honestly, it feels like a total crapshoot sometimes. One time I had two applications going at once (don’t recommend, headache city), and the underwriters at each place flagged completely different things. One cared about a couple of old late payments, the other barely mentioned them but got stuck on how I documented my rental income.
Credit unions are supposed to be more “personal,” but I’ve found they’re just as likely to get hung up on the checklist as any big bank. If your credit isn’t spotless, it helps to have all your paperwork dialed in—tax returns, leases, proof of rent payments, the whole nine yards. Sometimes even throwing in a letter explaining any blips on your credit makes a difference, but honestly, it depends who’s reading it.
If you’re not getting traction, shopping around can actually pay off. Lenders aren’t all looking at things the same way. It’s a pain, but it can make or break a deal.
Been there, and yeah, “headache city” nails it. Here’s what I’ve learned after a few rounds:
- Underwriters are like snowflakes—no two flag the same stuff.
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Couldn’t agree more. I once wrote a whole essay about a medical bill and one lender thanked me, the other didn’t even mention it.“Sometimes even throwing in a letter explaining any blips on your credit makes a difference, but honestly, it depends who’s reading it.”
- Credit unions can be just as nitpicky as the big guys. Don’t count on “personal touch” to save you.
- Having every scrap of paperwork ready helps, but sometimes they’ll still find something to nitpick. It’s like a sport for them.
- If you’re juggling multiple apps, just know it’s not for the faint of heart… but it might be worth the stress if you want the best shot.
Bottom line: expect curveballs, and don’t take it personally when they come.
Yeah, that “sport” analogy is spot on. I’ve lost count of how many times I thought I had every document nailed down, then got blindsided by a random question about a deposit from months back. Had one underwriter get hung up on a $200 Venmo transfer—seriously? I’ve found it helps to over-explain, but even then, it’s kind of a coin toss. The process definitely keeps you on your toes.
