Can I use digital copies of my documents?
Yes — photos from your phone or scanned PDFs are perfectly fine. Just make sure all pages are included (especially bank statements) and the text is readable.
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Documents You'll Need for Pre-Approval
Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements — here's exactly what to gather before we start your application.
Getting your documents together upfront makes the whole process faster. Here's the complete list — no surprises later.
Income Verification
- ✓ Most recent 30 days of pay stubs
- ✓ W-2s from the past 2 years
- ✓ Federal tax returns (past 2 years)
- ✓ If self-employed: profit & loss statement + business tax returns
- ✓ Social Security, pension, or VA benefit award letters (if applicable)
Asset Documentation
- ✓ Bank statements (past 2 months, all pages)
- ✓ Retirement account statements (401k, IRA)
- ✓ Investment account statements
- ✓ Gift letter (if someone is helping with down payment)
Personal Information
- ✓ Valid government-issued photo ID
- ✓ Social Security number
- ✓ Current address and 2-year address history
- ✓ Employment history (past 2 years)
If You Currently Own
- ✓ Current mortgage statement
- ✓ Homeowners insurance declaration page
- ✓ Property tax bill
- ✓ HOA statement (if applicable)
Pro tip: Digital copies are perfectly fine. Snap photos of documents with your phone or save PDFs. I'll let you know if I need anything else once we get started.
Common Questions
What if I have gaps in my employment history?
Gaps can be explained with a letter. Lenders want to see 2 years of employment history, but that doesn't mean 2 years at the same job. Career changes, going back to school, or family leave can all be documented.
How long is a pre-approval valid?
Most pre-approvals are valid for 60–90 days. If yours expires before you find a home, we can usually renew it quickly with updated documents. Your credit may need to be re-pulled if more than 120 days have passed.
Related Guides
First-Time Homebuyer Checklist
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How Much House Can I Afford?
A simple breakdown of how lenders calculate what you qualify for — and how to think about it yourself.
Mortgage Terms Glossary
APR, escrow, PMI, points — mortgage jargon explained in plain English so you always know what's going on.