I get where you’re coming from about being super organized, but I’ve actually found that sometimes being *too* meticulous can slow things down. Hear me out—last year, I was knee-deep in the mortgage process as an H1-B holder, and I kept double- and triple-checking every single document before sending anything off. Turns out, my lender just wanted the basics up front and got annoyed by all the extra stuff I was attaching. They actually told me, “We’ll ask if we need more.” Go figure.
I know the paperwork is a beast, and yeah, they’ll ask for some weird stuff (I had to get a letter from my manager and HR, too—felt like I was applying for a security clearance, not a mortgage). But sometimes, if you just give them what they ask for and don’t overthink it, things move a bit smoother. I’ve seen friends get tripped up by over-prepping, which just led to more back-and-forth and confusion.
Also, not every lender is the same. Some are way more flexible than others, especially if you’ve got a solid credit score and a decent down payment. I shopped around a bit and found a smaller credit union that was way less rigid than the big banks. They still wanted all the visa and employment stuff, but they didn’t make me jump through as many hoops.
One thing I’d add—don’t underestimate the power of your credit history here. I spent a couple years building mine up, and it made a huge difference. The lender barely blinked at my visa status once they saw my score and payment history. If you’re still early in the process, maybe focus on that for a bit. It’s not a magic bullet, but it definitely helped me sidestep some of the more annoying parts of the process.
Anyway, just my two cents. The grind is real, but sometimes less is more when it comes to paperwork.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen the opposite happen plenty of times. When folks only send the “basics,” lenders sometimes circle back for more, and that drags things out.
—sure, but if you’re missing something they consider essential, your file just sits there. I usually tell clients to err on the side of a little extra (not a mountain, but enough to cover the usual curveballs). Saves headaches later. Every lender’s different, though... some are chill, others nitpick everything.“We’ll ask if we need more.”
I totally get the “err on the side of a little extra” approach. I’ve seen files stall out for weeks just because one doc was missing and nobody realized until the underwriter got to it. That said, I’m always a little nervous about sending too much up front, especially with sensitive stuff like visa paperwork or old tax docs that might not even be needed. Sometimes it feels like you’re just giving them more to pick apart.
Still, your point about lenders being all over the map is spot on. Some are super strict, others barely look at half the stuff you send. I usually tell people to start with the basics, but have the extras ready to go in a folder, just in case. That way, you’re not scrambling if they ask for more, but you’re also not overwhelming them from the jump.
“if you’re missing something they consider essential, your file just sits there.”
That’s the nightmare. Especially for H1-B folks, I’d say double-check what your lender wants specifically, since some get picky about visa status or employment letters. Better safe than sorry, but no need to drown them in paperwork either.
Totally relate to the “have it ready but don’t hand it all over” strategy. When I refinanced, I kept a folder with every possible doc—pay stubs, old W2s, even my expired visa, just in case. Only sent what they asked for, but it made the process way less stressful when they inevitably came back with random requests. Ever had a lender ask for something totally unexpected? Mine once wanted a letter explaining a $200 transfer from my own savings... felt a little over the top.
Man, the letter thing cracks me up. I once had to write a “gift letter” for money my mom sent me for groceries—like, are they worried my sandwich money is laundering cartel cash? I get they have rules, but sometimes it feels like they’re just bored and making up new hoops. Did you ever get asked for something so random you had to Google what it even was?
