Your Pre-Approval Checklist
SELLING THE ROCKIES · EMILY HECK, EMBLEM REAL ESTATE
Your Pre-Approval Checklist
Everything your lender is going to ask for — gathered in one place, before you need it.
Before we tour a single home, your lender is going to want paperwork — a fair amount of it. Getting it together now, instead of hunting for it later, saves y'all real time. It's usually faster than people expect once it's all in one folder.
Here's exactly what to pull together, organized by category so nothing gets missed.
Proof of Income
- Pay stubs from the last 30 days
- W-2s from the past two years
- Full tax returns (past two years) if you're self-employed, a 1099 contractor, or earn commission
- Documentation for any other income you want counted — alimony, child support, Social Security, etc.
Proof of Assets
- Bank statements, all pages, for the last two months
- Retirement and investment account statements
- A signed gift letter, if any part of your down payment is a gift from family
Credit & Debt
- A list of your current debts — car loans, student loans, credit cards, other mortgages
- A written explanation for any late payments or collections on your credit report
- No new credit cards or car financing until after closing — it can change your numbers fast
Identification & Employment
- A government-issued photo ID
- Two years of employer and address history — job changes and moves both matter
- Contact info for HR or payroll, in case your lender needs to verify employment
A Few Extras Worth Knowing
- Large deposits over roughly $1,000 that aren't your paycheck will need a paper trail — keep records as you go
- Self-employed? Add a year-to-date profit & loss statement and business bank statements
- Know your down payment source before you apply — savings, gift, retirement withdrawal, etc.
Quick tips while you gather everything
- Keep your job and income steady — lenders like to see stability, not a mid-process career change.
- Save digital copies (PDF or photo) as you go, so nothing gets tracked down twice.
- When in doubt, ask your lender before moving money around or making a big purchase.
Once you're pre-approved, we can start touring homes with real numbers instead of guesses. If you need a lender recommendation or have questions about anything on this list, I'm happy to help — call or text anytime.
Emily
Document requirements can vary by lender and loan program (conventional, FHA, VA, etc.) — this list covers what's typically requested, but confirm the specifics with your lender before you apply.
