Real Estate Mortgage Loan: How to Prepare Yourself to Save Money1

Besides your credit score and the other five qualifications you must meet to finance a real estate mortgage loan, you need to gather papers and documents. Speed up your financing and make your life easier. Organize your papers into a three-ring binder or file system. You won’t need all of the documentation listed below. However, the more information you gather, the more likely you will be to get the best loan rates. Keep in mind that all of these documents may not be needed for all types of loans.

Documentation Required for Real Estate Mortgage Loan

Whether you want to buy your first home or many investment properties to build wealth, this checklist will help you save money on loan costs.

1. Proof of Income

Include copies of your last two pay stubs or other proof of employment and income verification. If you are receiving fixed income like trust income or social security, then include the beneficiary letter stating how much you get.

For self-employed, you will need to prove that you have been in the same line of work or business for two or more years.

If self-employed, show a copy of your business license for two or three years to show you have been in that business for at least two years. If you don’t have these, then show whatever you do have to evidence you have been in business for at least two years in the same line or business field. You may also ask a CPA to amend your income tax returns for the previous two years and then write a letter verifying that you’ve been self-employed for at least two years.

2. Tax returns

Provide tax returns for the last two years or at least the last two years of W2’s and/or 1099s if you don’t want to disclose tax returns.
If you’re self-employed, the mortgage company may require your personal and business tax returns for the previous two years and your company’s year-to-date Profit and Loss Statement. If you own a business, you may need a Financial Business Statement prepared by an accountant.

3. Bank account records

Gather your account numbers, address of your bank branch, along with checking and savings account statements for the previous two-to-twelve months. You only need the last two months’ bank statements in most cases. Most lenders will only need twelve months bank statements when you are trying to get a "full doc" loan (with the best rates) instead of stated income for a self-employed individual. Talk to your loan officer about whether twelve months of bank statements will help you get a better rate.

Include all bank accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts, and investment accounts. Include any account that you sign for, even if your spouse also signs on the account, and even if your spouse does not apply for the loan with you. Financial assets like these are considered important by lenders as a reserve, particularly now that property values are not rising as quickly.

4. Driver's license and social security card photocopies