{"id":25897,"date":"2021-08-16T14:07:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T21:07:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=25897"},"modified":"2026-04-08T01:23:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:23:49","slug":"buyer-mortgage-loan-documents-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-mortgage-loan-documents-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Mortgage Loan Documents Checklist For First-Time Homebuyers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The mortgage loan process is pretty messy! It\u2019s easy to forget an important document when you\u2019re busy looking at houses and figuring out which one best suits your needs and budget.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a list person, then you appreciate the value of keeping track of your items. We\u2019ve made it easy by giving you a detailed checklist of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-documents-needed-to-buy-a-house\/\">key documents<\/a> you can expect to collect, see, or sign for your loan. Follow the list, and you\u2019ll save yourself a lot of headaches and make the mortgage loan process a lot smoother.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"geo-cta widget-cta widget-cta--content     widget-cta--dark widget-cta--dark-blue-gradient\">\n    <div class=\"widget-element--content\">\n        <div class=\"widget-element--content-header\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"homelight logo\" class=\"widget-element--logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\" width=\"106\" height=\"25\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        \n                <h3 class=\"cta-headline \">Get a Checklist of the Documents You'll Need for a Mortgage Loan<\/h3>\n                        <p>Need to keep track of where you are with your mortgage loan? Our mortgage documents checklist includes all the typical (and a few not-so-typical!) items you&#8217;ll need to provide.<\/p>\n        \n                                                                    <div class=\"widget-element--gravity widget-element--gravity-inline\">\n                    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and 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href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Fill out the loan application on mortgage loan documents checklist\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-application.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25902\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Mangostar \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><input name=\"friends\" type=\"checkbox\" \/> Loan application<\/h2>\n<p>You\u2019ll sign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/glossary\/l\/loan-application\/\">your loan application<\/a> for the final time at closing. It\u2019ll be your chance to double-check that you\u2019ve dotted your i\u2019s and crossed your t\u2019s, and everything is in order. It\u2019s a good idea to walk through it one final time with your lender so they can answer any questions you have.<\/p>\n<h2>Identification<\/h2>\n<p>You\u2019ll need to prove your identity to the lender by providing a copy of a government-issued ID, such as a driver\u2019s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25912\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25912\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"proof of income is needed for mortgage loan documents checklist\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-income.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (NATNN \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Proof of income<\/h2>\n<p>Depending on your type of employment, you\u2019ll need to show <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-documents-needed-for-mortgage\/\">different documents<\/a> to demonstrate your proof of income and ability to afford the mortgage loan you\u2019re signing for the house you\u2019re buying.<\/p>\n<h3>W2 forms<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re a full-time employee, have your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/3.5\/01.html#General.20Income.20Documentation.20Requirements\">W2 forms<\/a> handy. You may be able to use the W2 your employer provided for you during the last tax season, or you may need to request new ones. Current W2s are recommended if it\u2019s been several months since your lender last saw them, or if you\u2019ve gotten a raise or new job since the previous W2 was issued.<\/p>\n<h3>1099 forms<\/h3>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/forms-pubs\/about-form-1099-misc\">1099 form<\/a> is the tax form that contract workers receive from businesses.<\/p>\n<p>If you have 1099s from multiple clients, make sure you have them all handy. Every client that pays you more than $600 in a calendar year is legally obligated to issue you a 1099, so make sure you have them all in order; they represent your legal earnings.<\/p>\n<h3>Profit-and-loss statements<\/h3>\n<p>If you operate your own business (or collect multiple 1099 forms), then you may be asked to provide a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/forms-pubs\/about-schedule-c-form-1040\">profit-and-loss statement<\/a> for the previous year as part of your proof of income.<\/p>\n<p>Businesses have expenses, which eat into how much you take home and have available to spend on a mortgage. If you earned $100,000 on your 1099s but spent $50,000 on expenses, you\u2019ve effectively only earned $50,000, and your mortgage lender will want to know that.<\/p>\n<h3>Past two years of tax returns<\/h3>\n<p>Your tax returns for the past two years will show the lender whether your income fluctuates wildly or is steady.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve recently gotten a new job with a higher salary, have a copy of your offer letter and start date from human resources (HR) to share with your lender.<\/p>\n<p>Kelly Hollowell, a single-family home expert in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/chesapeake-va\/top-real-estate-agents\">Chesapeake, Virginia<\/a>, explains that when her clients get a higher pay rate, they need to show a document called an LEF.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cIn our world, that would be \u2018can we talk to your human resources department and have confirmation that you&#8217;re getting this new job where you make $50,000 more per year?\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Pay stubs<\/h3>\n<p>Gather your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/owning-a-home\/process\/prepare\/create-a-loan-application-packet\/\">pay stubs for the last 30 days<\/a>, if you\u2019re a full-time (W2) employee. These stubs show lenders what your cash flow currently looks like after taxes.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re working <a href=\"https:\/\/selling-guide.fanniemae.com\/sel\/b3-3.2-01\/standards-employment-and-income-documentation\">overtime<\/a>, make sure that your pay stubs accurately reflect your entire income, including that overtime. If they don\u2019t automatically include overtime, ask your HR department to provide you with documentation of your entire income, not just your regular hourly rate.<\/p>\n<h3>Unemployment paperwork<\/h3>\n<p>If you collected more than one month of <a href=\"https:\/\/selling-guide.fanniemae.com\/sel\/b3-3.4-01\/general-requirements-other-sources-income\">unemployment benefits<\/a> in the past two years, you\u2019ll need to show documentation explaining why and how much. These documents will include <b>letters of explanation for gaps<\/b> in your working life and <b>unemployment income transcripts<\/b> showing how much unemployment you collected and when.<\/p>\n<h3>Real estate income<\/h3>\n<p>If you earn real estate income, your lender will expect to see it listed in your provided tax returns. If you just started earning real estate income and it\u2019s not yet been taxed, then you may not be able to use it to qualify for a mortgage.<\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rhelali\/\">Richie Helali<\/a>, mortgage sales leader at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelighthomeloans.com\/\">HomeLight Loans<\/a> explains \u201cYou have to actually report the income. If you had income from a property in the previous tax year, that has to be recorded on the taxes.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Child support\/alimony income<\/h3>\n<p>If you pay or collect <a href=\"https:\/\/selling-guide.fanniemae.com\/sel\/b3-3.4-02\/alimony-child-support-equalization-payments-or-separate-maintenance\">child support or any alimony income<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to provide the documentation of it, which will generally be in your divorce decree.<\/p>\n<h3>Any other income<\/h3>\n<p>Any sources of income that don\u2019t fit into the categories above should also be documented as part of your proof of income. This can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/3.1\/09.html#VA.20Benefits.20Income\">VA benefits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/3.1\/09.html#Social.20Security.20Income\">Social Security income<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/3.1\/09.html#Disability.20Income.20.E2.80.94.20Long-Term\">Long-term disability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selling-guide.fanniemae.com\/Selling-Guide\/Origination-thru-Closing\/Subpart-B3-Underwriting-Borrowers\/Chapter-B3-3-Income-Assessment\/Section-B3-3-1-Employment-and-Other-Sources-of-Income\/1035647451\/B3-3-1-09-Other-Sources-of-Income-12-16-2020.htm#Tip.20Income\">Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each source of income may require its own paperwork, so check with your lender what documentation you may need for that income type.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25913\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25913\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Next is the down payment for mortgage loan documents checklist\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-down-payment.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25913\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Smit \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Down payment details<\/h2>\n<p>Your lender will want to know some details about where the funds for your down payment have come from \u2014 whether it\u2019s wholly your income, includes gifts from others, or any assistance programs.<\/p>\n<h3>Source of down payment<\/h3>\n<p>Your lender will want to know where your down payment is coming from. They will verify the accounts it will come from and how long it has been in those accounts to ensure it&#8217;s not coming from illegal or inappropriate sources.<\/p>\n<h3>Gift letters from friends or family<\/h3>\n<p>Your mortgage lender will want to know if you\u2019ve been gifted any portion of your down payment from family or friends. Not all loan types allow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/4.3\/04.html\">gift funds<\/a> to be used as part of your down payment, so double-check with your lender before you accept these gifts.<\/p>\n<h3>Paperwork from assistance programs<\/h3>\n<p>Similarly, if you\u2019ve qualified for any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-down-payment-assistance\/\">down payment assistance programs<\/a>, your mortgage lender will want to know the details around how much the program is helping and the terms of the program to ensure you are compliant.<\/p>\n<h2>More financial details about your assets and debts<\/h2>\n<p>In addition to seeing your proof of income, lenders will want to have an understanding of your assets. Having little to no assets before applying for a mortgage can be risky because you lack a safety net if something goes wrong.<\/p>\n<p>Meeting these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/4.1\/01.html\">reserve requirements<\/a> shows lenders that you will be able to cover your mortgage payments for several months, even in an emergency, and therefore are unlikely to default on the loan. Lenders will look first at ready cash in checking and savings accounts, but some lenders may allow you to include assets in investment and retirement accounts if those assets can be easily liquidated in the case of an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>They will also consider your current and previous debts that resulted in foreclosures or bankruptcies. Lenders will generally want to see any of the following types of paperwork that apply to your situation.<\/p>\n<h3>Bank statements<\/h3>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/4.2\/01.html\">bank statements<\/a> will be one of the first things lenders look at to determine your cash reserves as these accounts contain your most liquid assets. Lenders will want at least the past two months of bank statements, possibly more, to prove your cash reserves are available consistently rather than the result of a recent cash infusion that may ultimately be spent elsewhere.<\/p>\n<h3>Retirement account statements<\/h3>\n<p>If you plan to use your 401(k) or other retirement accounts to help support your cash reserve requirements, lenders will expect to see your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/4.2\/01.html\">most recent quarterly statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>IRA statements<\/h3>\n<p>While IRAs are technically retirement accounts, their statement cycles are generally monthly instead of quarterly. If your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fanniemae.com\/content\/guide\/selling\/b3\/4.2\/01.html\">IRA statements<\/a> come monthly, confirm with your lender that they want to see the last two statements from your IRA.<\/p>\n<h3>Brokerage account statements<\/h3>\n<p>Lenders will often want to see the past two months of statements from any brokerage accounts you have that are being used to support your asset requirements as part of your mortgage loan.<\/p>\n<h3>Credit report<\/h3>\n<p>Lenders will pull your credit report directly as part of the loan process, so before you apply for a mortgage, you should also take a look at your credit report. You can do so for free from all three major credit reporting companies \u2014 Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion \u2014 once per year.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.annualcreditreport.com\/index.action\">Pull your credit report from all three companies<\/a> before you apply for a mortgage. This will give you a chance to check for and correct any errors before they can impact your mortgage loan application.<\/p>\n<p>Smaller issues like court judgments can also result in not getting your mortgage approved. As Hollowell has experienced with clients:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWhen you don&#8217;t appear in court for tickets, multiple tickets sometimes and if you have disregarded the parking ticket police and not paid those, they will come back, and you have to clear up those debts.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Debts and expenses<\/h3>\n<p>To calculate your debt-to-income ratio or DTI, lenders will look at your recurring debts relative to your monthly income. This will tell them whether you can afford to repay the mortgage you are applying for.<\/p>\n<p>Recurring debts can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Student loans<\/li>\n<li>Child support or alimony payments<\/li>\n<li>Credit cards and other lines of credit<\/li>\n<li>Car payments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Bankruptcy paperwork<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve filed for Chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy, you\u2019ll need to observe a three- to four-year waiting period before being eligible to secure a mortgage. In special circumstances, that waiting period can decrease to two years.<\/p>\n<p>Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires a two-year waiting period from discharge or four years from dismissal. If you\u2019ve filed for bankruptcy more than twice in the previous seven-year period, you\u2019ll need to wait five years. Have all of your bankruptcy paperwork handy, and be ready to provide it to your lender upon request.<\/p>\n<h3>Divorce decree<\/h3>\n<p>Your lender may ask for divorce paperwork to confirm that liabilities and assets in both names are settled. Divorce paperwork may also be used to confirm <a href=\"https:\/\/selling-guide.fanniemae.com\/Selling-Guide\/Origination-thru-Closing\/Subpart-B3-Underwriting-Borrowers\/Chapter-B3-5-Credit-Assessment\/Section-B3-5-3-Traditional-Credit-History\/1032990301\/B3-5-3-08-Extenuating-Circumstances-for-Derogatory-Credit-12-16-2014.htm\">extenuating circumstances<\/a> that may prevent you from meeting financial obligations.<\/p>\n<h3>Foreclosure documents<\/h3>\n<p>Foreclosures result in a seven-year waiting period before you are eligible for a new mortgage. Documentation of certain extenuating circumstances can reduce that period to three years if you meet other criteria.<\/p>\n<p>Charge-offs, pre-foreclosure sales, and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure are foreclosure alternatives that have a shorter, four-year waiting period. Foreclosure information will be available on your credit report that lenders will be pulling, so have your foreclosure paperwork ready when they ask for it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25914\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25914\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Your lender will give you documents for the mortgage loan documents checklist\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/mortgage-loan-documents-checklist-lender.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25914\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Cozine \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Documents from your lender<\/h2>\n<p>Your lender will provide the following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-closing-documents\/\">closing documents<\/a>, which you should read closely and fully understand before signing your mortgage.<\/p>\n<h3>Loan Estimate<\/h3>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/compare-loan-estimate-closing-disclosure\/\">Loan Estimate<\/a> will give you an idea of what your mortgage will look like so you can confirm the details of the loan make sense for you before proceeding. This document has three main sections:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Loan terms<\/li>\n<li>Payment schedule<\/li>\n<li>Closing costs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Closing Disclosure<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/ask-cfpb\/what-is-a-closing-disclosure-en-1983\/\">Closing Disclosure<\/a> outlines the details of your loan. It is similar to the Loan Estimate but includes more accurate information, including the:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Monthly mortgage payment<\/li>\n<li>Estimated interest rate<\/li>\n<li>Estimated tax and insurance costs<\/li>\n<li>Scheduled payment or rate changes<\/li>\n<li>Estimated closing costs<\/li>\n<li>Any applicable penalties (including prepayment penalties) you should be aware of<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The primary difference between the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure is that the Closing Disclosure should have your final fees and charges, not just estimates.<\/p>\n<h2>Documents you will need to close<\/h2>\n<p>To close on your dream home, you\u2019ll need a few more documents.<\/p>\n<h3>Proof of homeowners insurance<\/h3>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-to-get-home-insurance-quotes\/\">homeowners insurance<\/a> needs to be purchased before closing. A quote will not suffice because your new home will serve as collateral for the mortgage loan, and your lender will want to make sure the house is fully insured and the home\u2019s value is protected, should anything happen.<\/p>\n<h3>Promissory note<\/h3>\n<p>Make sure you read the promissory note (also called the mortgage note) carefully before signing it as it is your acknowledgment that you understand and commit to taking on the financial responsibility of the loan.<\/p>\n<h3>Deed of trust or mortgage contract<\/h3>\n<p>The name of this document varies by state, but regardless of the name, it serves as your agreement to put the home up as collateral for the loan. If you default on the mortgage, the lender can repossess your property.<\/p>\n<h3>Title documents<\/h3>\n<p>These documents cover who has previously owned the home and confirm there are no liens on the property. Title documents often include title insurance, which will protect you in the event that the title search failed to uncover an existing lien.<\/p>\n<h3>Deed<\/h3>\n<p>The deed legally transfers ownership of the home to you. It will be signed by the seller and sent to the county or city recorder after closing.<\/p>\n<h3>Affidavits<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019ll be expected to sign affidavits that confirm your legal name and identity.<\/p>\n<h3>Transfer of tax<\/h3>\n<p>Some states require buyers to sign paperwork that discloses the price of the home and how much sales tax you owe.<\/p>\n<h3>Certificate of occupancy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-house\/\">New builds<\/a> sometimes require this document, which certifies that the house is compliant with all building laws and codes and is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/certificate-of-occupancy\/\">suitable for occupancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Bill of sale<\/h3>\n<p>You should verify any items previously agreed to be included in the sale are listed on the bill of sale, which is a legal document certifying the transfer ownership of any listed item from the seller to the buyer as part of the home purchase. This can include anything from furniture to appliances.<\/p>\n<h3>Riders<\/h3>\n<p>Riders are addendums to your security instrument that clarify any additional terms being added to the standard mortgage or deed of trust. They are usually part of the closing package when buying certain property types, such as planned units or condos, or when you choose an adjustable-rate mortgage product.<\/p>\n<p>Got all your documents together? You\u2019re ready to get a mortgage loan!<\/p>\n<p><i>Header Image Source: (Reda.G \/ ShutterStock)<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This mortgage loan documents checklist will make it simple for you to qualify and get approved for your mortgage, even as a first-time home buyer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":181,"featured_media":25915,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,629,632],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-home-financing","category-mortgage-loans"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The First-Time Buyer\u2019s Ultimate Mortgage Loan 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