It’s almost like they’re just looking for something to flag, even if it’s nothing.
Had to laugh at this because I once had to explain a $12 PayPal from my brother labeled “pizza.” Underwriting flagged it like it was some kind of secret code. I get why they’re cautious—especially after 2008—but sometimes it feels like you need a spreadsheet just to keep up with their questions. Still, I’d rather jump through a few hoops than end up with a mess down the line. Guess it’s the price of playing in the real estate sandbox...
Yeah, I’ve had a similar experience—mine was a $20 Venmo from my roommate for “utilities.” Suddenly I’m digging up old texts to prove it wasn’t anything shady. I get the need for all the checks, but sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for any reason to slow things down. Makes me wonder if it’s worth keeping a separate account just for anything related to the mortgage process, so there’s no confusion.
I’m curious, for folks who’ve bought recently—did you do anything specific to prep your accounts before applying? Like, did you stop random transfers or try to keep things super tidy for a few months? I’m pretty cautious by nature, but even I didn’t think a pizza split would end up in the underwriting spotlight...
I’m pretty cautious by nature, but even I didn’t think a pizza split would end up in the underwriting spotlight...
You’re not alone—underwriters really do look at everything. I usually tell folks to keep things as simple as possible for a few months before applying. No random transfers, no Venmo for pizza, nothing that needs explaining. It’s a pain, but it does make things smoother. That said, you don’t have to be perfect—just avoid anything that could raise a flag.
No random transfers, no Venmo for pizza, nothing that needs explaining.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. It’s wild how even the smallest things can get flagged. I remember stressing over a $12 split for takeout showing up in my account—felt ridiculous at the time, but apparently it’s “unusual activity.”
I do think sometimes folks go a little overboard with the advice though. Life doesn’t just stop because you’re applying for a mortgage. Sure, don’t move big chunks of money around or open new credit cards, but if you buy a coffee for a friend or split dinner once in a while, it’s not the end of the world. Underwriters are thorough, but they’re also human.
Just keep your eye on anything that looks out of place and be ready to explain it if needed. Most of the time, they just want to see consistency—not perfection.
Yeah, I’ve been feeling a bit paranoid about every little transaction lately. I get the logic behind keeping things clean, but it feels like one wrong move and the whole process could stall. I actually called my lender to ask if buying concert tickets with my debit card would raise eyebrows—probably overkill, but better safe than sorry? Guess I’d rather be overly cautious than have to explain something weird later on.
