Documenting Assets

Verifying Your Down Payment,
Closing Costs, Assets, Income and Debts

Below check out my checklist

A critical step in the mortgage loan application process is to verify the sources for your down payment, closing costs and assets, as well as documenting income and debts. The lender uses this step to determine your qualifications as a borrower.

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Documenting that the down payment comes from your savings and that you will have savings and/or assets over and above the down payment gives the lender confidence in your strength as a borrower and your ability to repay the loan.

Take extra care to document the sources for any monies to be used for the down payment or closing costs.

Acceptable Down Payment & Closing Costs Sources

Cash in a bank account

Mutual funds / stocks / IRA / 401K

Proceeds from the sale of another property

Gift from an immediate relative

Assets

Collect information about your personal assets that add to your net worth and help to prove your credit worthiness.

Common Assets Considered in a Mortgage Loan Application

Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 401K and retirement accounts

Life insurance

Personal property estimate - cars, boats, antiques, jewelry, etc.

Other real estate or property

Income and Employment

The lender will want to confirm your current gross income and have evidence of stable employment. Documentation requirements vary depending upon a number of factors - including the source of income (hourly, salary, salary + bonuses, salary + commission, commission, self-employed, etc.).

Debts

Your lender will want to review a list of all your current debts. This along with your credit report will provide the lender with a snapshot of your obligations. The lender will want to confirm that you will not be overextended when the mortgage payment is added to your current debt load.

Loan Application Checklist

In general, the documentation you will need includes:

Check for application fee

Property Information (if you already have a contract on a house)

Purchase Agreement.

Copy of legal description and MLS sheet.

If you are selling your current home, copy of listing contract.

If you have sold your current home, copy of settlement statement (HUD-1).

Income & Assets

Pay stubs for the last 30 days.

For the past two years:

	Names and addresses of each employer.
	W-2s

Statements for each bank, mutual fund, and/or investment account for the last three months.

Estimated value of personal property and furniture.

If you have made any large deposits to your accounts:

Explanation and source for deposit.

If large deposit was a gift:

	Signed gift letter (lender can supply).
	Copy of gift check.
	Copy of deposit receipt.

If you own more than 25% of a business:

Corporate or partnership tax returns.

If self-employed:

	Tax returns for the last three years (with schedules).
	Year-to-Date Profit and Loss Statement prepared by an accountant.

If you own rental property:

Tax returns for the last two years and current rental agreements.

If you are retired:

Pension Award Letter.

If you receive Social Security:

Social Security Award Letter.

If you are counting child support as income:

	Copy of divorce settlement.
	Copy of twelve months of cancelled child support checks.

Debts

Names, addresses, account numbers, balances and monthly payments on all current loans.

Explanation of credit report anomalies, including:

	Late payments, credit inquiries in the last 90 days, charge-offs, collections, judgments and/or liens.
	Bankruptcy filed within last seven years (bring a copy of your bankruptcy papers).

VA Loans

Copy of DD Form 214, Report of Separation.

Miscellaneous

Photo ID and proof of Social Security number.

Residence addresses for the past two years.

If applicable, a copy of your divorce decree.

If you are not a citizen, a copy of the front and back of your green card.

Documenting Assets

Jean Ferrara