The first thing to do is consult with a mortgage lender. If you don’t already have someone in mind, I partner with some of the best lenders in the industry, and I’d be happy to introduce you, so you’ll be taken care of.

 

​By getting pre-approved, you can show sellers that a lender has already vetted you and will lend you money. The lender gathers information about your income, assets, and debts to determine how much house you may be able to afford.

 

Before starting the pre-approval process, you'll want the necessary documentation to ensure the process goes smoothly. CLICK HERE for our Mortgage Pre-Approval Checklist.

 

Two years of continuous employment is preferred, but there are exceptions. Self-employed applicants will likely have to provide two years of income tax returns or one-two years of personal bank statements (depending on the loan program).

 

​​Bonus: It's important to have a paper trail of where your down payment and closing cost funds are coming from.  Additionally, you can't use any undocumented funds or “mattress money” for your earnest money deposit or down payment. If you have any odd deposits into your bank account(s), you'll need to document them with deposit slips and an explanation to make sure they aren't unauthorized gifts.

 

CLICK HERE to schedule your consultation.