1. Pay Stubs

Lenders need to know you have stable income that will allow you to pay your mortgage each month. Bank on showing at least 30 days of income via pay stubs. If you don’t have paper copies, contact your workplace HR representative for digital stubs. 

2. Proof of Employment

Your lender will likely use your pay stubs as proof of employment. But, in some cases, your lender may request a letter from your current employer to confirm your hire date and employment status.

3. Employer Contact Information

Again, steady income is the name of the game when it comes to securing a loan. Compile a contact list documenting your last two years of employment. Include all company names and addresses, along with names and contact information for your former bosses or HR representatives.

4. Tax Documents

For starters, most mortgage lenders want to see your last two years' tax returns. If you haven't yet filed a tax return for the most recent calendar year, your lender might request that you do so before applying. And if you live in a state with an income tax, the lender will likely want to see both your federal and state returns.

W-2s or 1099s

If you are an employee, your lender will want to see your two most recent W-2 forms.

If you are self-employed, the lender will need your two most recent 1099s and may also request additional income documentation.

5. Bank Statements

Lenders want a snapshot of the money coming and going from your bank account. You will need all pages of bank statements for the last 3 months.

6. Business Documents

If you’re self-employed, work as a contractor or otherwise operate a business, your lender will want to see tax returns (again, signed), along with year-to-date profit and loss statements.

7. Debt Information

Your qualification to receive a mortgage loan comes down, in part, to your debt-to-income ratio. Your pay stubs and tax documents show your income. Next you’ll need to show any outstanding loans you have, including car payments, student loans, additional mortgages or credit card debt. Gather up-to-date statements that show your remaining balances. Go a step further and compile creditor names and addresses, account numbers, monthly payment amounts and outstanding balances of each account.

8. Residential History

Create a list of your home addresses for the last two years, along with landlords’ names and contact information, if applicable.

9. Proof of Additional Income

If you receive Social Security or disability payments, pension income, dividends or bonuses, you’ll need to show it. Potential homebuyers aren’t required to disclose child support and alimony payments; discuss whether it’s appropriate with your loan officer.

10. Stocks, Bonds and Savings Statements

Your total assets will count toward your ability to purchase a home. Provide statements showing the value of your CDs, IRAs, stocks, bonds or other securities, including any money you’ll use toward a down payment.

11. Earnest Money Source

After you make an offer on a property and provide earnest money — a deposit held in escrow that shows your commitment to purchase — you’ll need to prove the source of that money. If it came from your savings account, a PDF of your bank account history will do the trick. If you received the money as a gift from a family member or another way, you may need to provide a letter confirming the source. Basically the money from your grandparents will need to be accompanied by a letter saying it was a "GIFT."