Yeah, I learned that the hard way when I tried to refi last year. My credit score was solid, but they grilled me on my car loan and student debt. Didn’t matter that I’d paid off a bunch of cards right before applying. Lenders really do look at the whole picture, not just the number. Kind of annoying, but I get it.
Yeah, they really dig into your debt-to-income ratio these days. I’ve seen folks with 780+ scores still get pushback if their monthly obligations are too high. Curious—did they ask for extra documentation or just stick to the basics? Sometimes it feels like they’re looking for reasons to say no...
Sometimes it feels like they’re looking for reasons to say no...
That’s been my experience too, especially lately. I remember thinking my credit score would carry more weight, but the underwriter zeroed in on my car payment and a couple of old student loans instead. It’s wild—my buddy had a 790 score and still got flagged because his DTI was just a hair over their “comfort zone.” They ended up asking him for extra pay stubs and even a letter explaining a random deposit in his checking account. He joked it felt like applying for a security clearance, not a mortgage.
I get why they’re cautious, but sometimes it feels like they’re almost hoping to find a reason to slow things down. Makes me double-check every monthly bill before I even think about refinancing. Guess it’s just the new normal, especially around Dallas where the market’s been so hot.
It’s wild how much more they care about DTI and cash flow now, even with a solid credit score. I’ve seen folks with near-perfect scores get tripped up by a single late payment or a weird deposit, just like you mentioned. Lenders are definitely digging deeper these days, especially in hot markets like Dallas. It’s not just about the score anymore—it’s the whole financial picture. Honestly, I tell people to keep records of everything, even stuff that seems minor. The process feels a lot more invasive than it used to, but I guess that’s just where we’re at right now.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean. When I refinanced last year, I was shocked at how much paperwork they wanted—stuff I never thought would matter, like random Venmo deposits from splitting dinner with friends. I remember thinking, “Is this really necessary?” but I guess they’re just covering all their bases now. It’s definitely more stressful than it used to be, but having everything organized ahead of time saved me a ton of headaches.
