Borrower’s Checklist for Home Loan Applications

Purchasing a new home is an exciting venture filled with opportunities as well as challenges, particularly when it involves securing a mortgage. Mortgage lenders require detailed information about your financial background to determine your loan eligibility and the terms they can offer. Being well-prepared with the necessary documents can simplify your homebuying process and enhance your chances of obtaining favorable loan opportunities. 

Your home search should take more than a weekend or two. Buying a home is an incredibly large and important purchase. One you don’t want to make in haste and regret later! So it’s definitely not a good idea to do this on a whim or off the cuff. Think months, not weeks, in terms of your search. But first, before you start driving around and shopping, become an informed buyer. Read some of the Rio GrandeValleyNew Homes Guide’s archived articles at rgvNewHomesGuide.com for useful information on a variety of subjects on homebuying. Learn of the important first steps—like getting your finances and credit history in order before shopping for a home mortgage.If all goes as planned, you will be pre-approved for a mortgage loan, which will help you know how much home you can afford and help to show home sellers that you are a serious homebuyer.

Sales Contract and Property Information

The first step in your homebuying journey begins once you have selected your desired property and your offer has been accepted by the seller. This leads to the completion of a sales contract, which is a signed agreement that outlines the terms between you and the seller. You will need to provide this document to your lender. It may also be necessary to furnish contact information for individuals who can grant access to the property.

Personal Information

Lenders will request specific personal details to process your loan application. Be sure to have the following on hand:

Income and Employment History

Lenders assess your ability to repay the loan based on your income and employment history. Prepare to provide your federal tax returns and other relevant documents that confirm your earnings. If you are employed by someone else, you may need to provide:

For those who are self-employed, the following documents are typically required:

Other Sources of Income

You might also need to prove additional sources of income, which could include:

Overall Financial Health

Your overall financial health is also scrutinized by lenders through an evaluation of your assets and liabilities:

ASSETS:

LIABILITIES AND DEBTS:

Additional Considerations

If you are divorced, or if you either pay or receive alimony or child support, make sure to have all pertinent legal documents available. In addition, those eligible for VA loans will also need to provide specific documentation to support their application.

Preparation is Key

By systematically using the checklist above, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for the questions and requirements your lender will have. This level of readiness not only facilitates a smoother loan application process but also helps bring you closer to acquiring your dream home. Gathering and organizing these documents well in advance of your application will allow you to navigate the home buying process with greater ease and confidence, focusing more on the joy of purchasing a new home and less on the complexities of financial approvals.