The simple reason you're asked for paystubs, bank statements, tax returns and other documents is that the lender needs to know whether you can afford to make your mortgage payments.
Pay stubs
The tax returns prove what your income was last year and the year before, but your recent pay stubs tell the lender that you're still earning the same amount.
Income and employment
Income: W-2 wage earners: Copies of W-2 forms and your two most recent payroll stubs. If income includes overtime, bonuses or differential pay, you may need your most recent end-of-year payroll stub.
It's possible at this stage, that a borrower may be asked to provide additional documentation. Depending on the loan program, sometimes longer time periods are required (30 days of most income documents or two months most recent paystubs, for example).
Some lenders simply accept recent pay stubs, or recent income tax returns and a business license for self-employed borrowers. Most loans, however, follow Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Federal Housing Administration loan guidelines and require a more thorough employment check.
Mortgage lenders verify employment by contacting employers directly and requesting income information and related documentation. Most lenders only require verbal confirmation, but some will seek email or fax verification. Lenders can verify self-employment income by obtaining tax return transcripts from the IRS.
Lenders want to know details such as your credit score, social security number, marital status, history of your residence, employment and income, account balances, debt payments and balances, confirmation of any foreclosures or bankruptcies in the last seven years and sourcing of a down payment.
Lenders are not permitted to ask any questions that would discourage an applicant. Further, government regulations prevent mortgage lenders from denying loans based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because you receive public assistance.
To verify your income, your mortgage lender will likely require a couple of recent paycheck stubs (or their electronic equivalent) and your most recent W-2 form. In some cases the lender may request a proof of income letter from your employer, particularly if you recently changed jobs.
The 28% Rule For Mortgage Payments
Gross income is your total household income before you deduct taxes, debt payments and other expenses. Lenders typically look at your gross income when they decide how much you can afford to take out in a mortgage loan. The 28% rule is fairly easy to figure out.
To purchase a $300K house, you may need to make between $50,000 and $74,500 a year. This is a rule of thumb, and the specific salary will vary depending on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, the type of home loan, loan term, and mortgage rate.
Lenders' requirements for proof of income for mortgage applications will differ. Typically, earned income is evidenced in the following ways: Payslips: The standard requirements are three months' payslips and two years' P60s although there are lenders who will accept less than this.
Most mortgage lenders will consider lending 4 or 4.5 times a borrower's income, so long as you meet their affordability criteria. In some cases, we could find lenders willing to go up to 5 times income. In a few exceptional cases, you might be able to borrow as much as 6 times your annual income.
While some competitors may need several proof of income documents, or other papers like W-2s, LoanMe only requires minimal application items. One pay stub, bank statements for your proof of income, and a valid form of ID will get the process started at LoanMe.
Conventional mortgage employment rules
Conventional loans — the most popular type of mortgage — generally require at least two years of employment history to qualify. However, less than two years may be acceptable if the borrower's profile demonstrates “positive factors” to compensate for shorter income history.
In addition, penalties for mortgage fraud – which is what lying on a mortgage application is – range as high as 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. You likely won't face a penalty like that for a small exaggeration or omission, but you could still end up with a fine and a conviction.
Yes, absolutely: Many individuals such as retirees, divorced parties, and those with significant investments in the bank receive one every day. In fact, it's eminently possible to get a mortgage without a job, so long as lenders are able to determine that you can, in fact, repay the loan.
You may find it harder to be approved for a mortgage without proof of a regular income, but there are specialist lenders who you can apply to. Many borrowers won't have any trouble providing proof of their income to get a mortgage, while others, such as freelancers or self-employed people, may struggle.
When trying to determine whether you have the means to pay off the loan, the underwriter will review your employment, income, debt and assets. They'll look at your savings, checking, 401k and IRA accounts, tax returns and other records of income, as well as your debt-to-income ratio.
A recent study by Fannie Mae found that most people think that the requirements for getting a mortgage are more stringent than they actually are. According to the study, the financial requirements set by mortgage lenders aren't nearly as hard to meet as borrowers think.
Payment history: Lenders also will review your payment history on credit cards, loans, lines of credit and anything else that shows up on your credit report. They want to make sure you have a track record of on-time payments that could indicate you'll be a responsible mortgage borrower.
Having a mortgage loan denied at closing is the worst and is much worse than a denial at the pre-approval stage. Although both denials hurt, each one requires a different game plan.
Q: Do lenders pull credit day of closing? A: Not usually, but most will pull credit again before giving the final approval. So, make sure you don't rack up credit cards or open new accounts.
Lenders closely scrutinize your job history and gaps in employment could raise questions. Lenders want to know not only how much money you make, but also how likely it is that you'll continue to make that amount of money. And many are paying more attention to your current employment.