4 ways to screw up your mortgage application—and how to avoid them

If you’re trying to get a home loan, you’re likely facing an avalanche of paperwork, thanks to new rules that went into effect in January. But the new rules aren’t just a headache—they also increase the pressure on borrowers to get things right the first time or risk getting turned down for a loan.

“Underwriters are now required to make a decision on an application within 30 days,” says Brittney Baldwin, vice president of National Cooperative Bank. “If you don’t submit all the documentation needed or if you inadvertently raise red flags that trigger a request for extra documentation, you’ll slow things down and you could get pushed to the back of the line. If your application is not complete within 30 days, your application will be denied for lack of documentation.”

The process will start all over again--from submitting an application to receiving new disclosure statements. If you previously had a locked-in rate, you will lose your rate lock as well.

Here are four of the most common application flubs—and tips for fast-tracking your application:

1. Report your gross income, not your net income

While this doesn’t happen often, it does happen. Make sure when you enter your income on the application, you enter your gross income. This will go into the calculation for your debt-to-income ratio and if it isn’t entered correctly will not show the whole picture.

2. Document all the ways you earn money

“Often people just submit a W2 form showing their annual salary, but if your debt-to-income ratio is too high, the lender will have to go back and ask you for more—such as documentation of 401k, IRA, stocks and bonds,” says Baldwin.

Moral of the story: Submit everything. More information is better.

3. Prepare to explain big deposits in your bank account

Banks will scrutinize your checking account history for the past two months. You’ll need to produce a paper trail for any out-of-the-ordinary, large amounts of money deposited into your bank account, such as the check your parents gave you to help with the down payment or the time your boss finally reimbursed you for that business trip. In the latter case, for instance, you might be asked to submit a copy of your expense report and evidence of your credit card payments for the expenses.

4. Don’t buy any big-ticket items on credit —or open a new credit card

If your lender sees that your credit has been checked lately—because you’re applying for a credit card or a car loan, or as part of your co-op board application—you’ll need to provide an explanation of why. If it is for a credit card or car loan you will need to show the most recent statement. In addition, any minimum monthly payments will be factored into your debt-to-income ratio which could impact your ability to get approval for your desired loan amount since it would be a liability in your debt-to-income ratio.

Brittney Baldwin (646-201-4714) is vice president at National Cooperative Bank in Manhattan. 

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