06/23/2026
Thinking about buying a new home? 🏠 Before you start scrolling through Zillow, you need a pre-approval letter.
A pre-approval shows sellers you mean business and tells you exactly what your budget is. To get one, your lender (ME!) needs to verify your income, assets, and identity.
Save yourself time and stress by gathering these 4 critical document groups right now:
🆔 1. Proof of Identity
Driver’s license or state ID
Social Security number (for your credit check)
💰 2. Proof of Income
Your 2 most recent W-2 forms
Your 30 most recent days of paystubs
Last 2 years of federal tax returns (all pages)
Self-employed? You’ll need 2 years of business tax returns and a year-to-date Profit & Loss statement.
🏦 3. Proof of Assets
2 months of consecutive bank statements (all pages, even the blank ones!)
Statements for retirement or investment accounts (401k, IRA, stocks)
Using gift funds? Tell your lender early so they can provide a gift letter template.
📑 4. Special Circumstances (If Applicable)
Divorce decrees or child support documentation
Bankruptcy discharge papers
12 months of rental payment history (sometimes needed for first-time buyers)
Getting organized early means a faster, smoother pre-approval process!
