What credit documents and paperwork do I need to gather before applying for a mortgage?

Lenders verify income, assets, debts, and identity, so gather documents before you apply to speed underwriting. Expect to provide two years of W-2s or 1099s, your two most recent pay stubs, two to three months of bank and investment statements, two years of federal tax returns (essential if you are self-employed or have RSU income), and a photo ID. If you are self-employed, add profit-and-loss statements and business returns. Large recent deposits must be sourced with a paper trail, so avoid moving money around right before applying. Keeping statements clean and unexplained cash out of your accounts prevents underwriting delays. Check your readiness with the Mortgage Readiness assessment at wealthserene.com/assessments/mortgage-readiness before you start shopping lenders.