Get pre-approved before you start looking.
Pre-approval tells you what you can afford, makes your offer real to the seller, and surfaces issues before they become problems. Here's what your lender will ask for — and a Charleston-area mortgage originator I work with regularly.
What you'll need before you apply.
Three core ingredients of any mortgage: assets, credit, and income. Every situation is different, but most lenders request the documents below. The goal isn't just a payment estimate — it's catching potential issues early, before they become problems at the closing table.
Basic documentation
- ▸Government-issued photo ID
- ▸Social Security number
- ▸Two years of residential history
- ▸Contact information for your employer(s)
Income verification
- ▸Most recent 30 days of pay stubs
- ▸Last two years of W-2s
- ▸Last two years of tax returns (if applicable)
- ▸Documentation for bonus, commission, overtime, or other supplemental income
Asset verification
- ▸Most recent two months of bank statements
- ▸Statements for retirement or investment accounts if funds are used for closing
- ▸Documentation for any large deposits that appear on statements
Self-employed borrowers
- ▸Last two years of personal tax returns
- ▸Business tax returns (if applicable)
- ▸Year-to-date profit and loss statement
- ▸Business bank statements when requested
A few things that can derail an approval.
Each of these affects your debt-to-income ratio or credit profile in ways underwriters notice. If any of them apply to you, talk to the lender first.
- ✕Opening new credit cards or loans
- ✕Financing a vehicle
- ✕Making large unexplained deposits
- ✕Changing jobs without discussing it with your lender
- ✕Large purchases that could affect your debt-to-income ratio
Joey Crawford — Tabor Mortgage.
Nine-plus years originating mortgages across the Southeast, with a straightforward style and a real ability to navigate complex scenarios. I send buyers to Joey when the file needs a steady hand.
Joey holds a B.S. in Finance from Radford University and is licensed in five states — South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.
- ▸Conventional
- ▸FHA
- ▸VA
- ▸USDA
- ▸Jumbo
- ▸Non-QM
The mortgage industry runs on documentation. Joey's known for being upfront about what he needs and when — which is exactly what you want when an underwriter starts asking questions a week before closing.
Ready to start the conversation?
Talk to Joey first to set your budget — then talk to me about which homes fit it. Two phone calls, and you'll have a real game plan.