But sometimes it feels less like risk management and more like busywork—just checking boxes to cover themselves.
That’s the part that always cracks me up (in a not-funny way). I swear, I’ve had clients who could probably recite their entire employment history backwards, and still get asked for “one more” letter. Makes you wonder if lenders have a secret contest for who can collect the most paperwork in a month. Has anyone actually seen a deal fall through just because an HR letter took too long, or do they usually find a workaround?
Makes you wonder if lenders have a secret contest for who can collect the most paperwork in a month.
Honestly, it does feel that way sometimes. In my experience, deals rarely fall apart just because of an HR letter delay—they usually find some workaround or give you a little extra time if you push back. Still, it's ridiculous how much they ask for. I get that they're covering themselves, but half the time it feels like they’re just ticking boxes with no real purpose. Hang in there, it’s annoying but usually not a dealbreaker.
I get what you’re saying, but I’m not sure it’s always that easy to just “push back” and get more time. When I was applying, my lender was super strict about every single document, especially anything related to my visa status. There wasn’t much wiggle room—if I didn’t have the HR letter or the right paperwork, they basically put everything on hold. Maybe some lenders are more flexible, but I wouldn’t count on it, especially with all the extra scrutiny lately.
It’s true that most deals don’t fall apart over one missing doc, but it can definitely drag things out or add a ton of stress. I get that they need to check boxes, but sometimes it feels like they’re just making it harder for people who are already jumping through enough hoops. Maybe I just had bad luck, but I wouldn’t call it a minor annoyance.