Mortgage Pre-Approval in Spokane: Exactly What Documents You Need

If you are about to start touring homes in Spokane, the pre-approval is the first real step. Will Flanigan, NMLS #210976, is a loan officer with NEXA Mortgage licensed in Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. Here is what he needs from you and why each piece matters.

Pre-qualified versus pre-approved

A pre-qualification is a conversation. You tell someone what you make and what you owe, and they give you a rough number. It takes ten minutes and it is worth about that much to a listing agent.

A pre-approval means a loan officer has pulled your credit, reviewed your actual income and asset documents, and run the file through automated underwriting. That letter carries weight in a competitive offer because the listing agent can see that someone verified something.

In a market where a seller may be looking at more than one offer, the difference between those two letters can be the difference between getting the house and getting a call back.

The document list

Income

• Most recent pay stubs covering a full month
• W-2 forms for the last two years
• Federal tax returns for the last two years, all pages and schedules, if you are self-employed, own rental property, or earn commission
• If self-employed: business returns and a year to date profit and loss

Assets

• Two most recent statements for every account you plan to use for down payment and closing costs, all pages, including the blank ones
• Documentation for any large or unusual deposit
• Gift letter and transfer documentation if a family member is helping

Identity and history

• Government issued photo ID
• Social Security number for the credit pull
• Two year address and employment history
• If applicable: divorce decree, child support order, bankruptcy discharge, or DD-214 for VA financing

Why underwriters want all pages

People send page one of a four page bank statement constantly, and it always comes back. Underwriters need the full document, including the page that says "this page intentionally left blank," because a partial statement cannot be verified as complete. Sending everything the first time saves days.

What Will does with it

He pulls credit, reviews the documents, runs automated underwriting, and issues a letter that reflects a real approval, not a guess. He will also tell you the monthly payment at a few different price points, including taxes and insurance, so you know what you are actually signing up for before you fall in love with a listing.

If something in the file needs work, better to find it now. A credit item that takes thirty days to correct is a small problem in September and a deal killer the week before closing.

How long does a pre-approval last?

Letters are typically dated and have a limited shelf life because credit reports and income documents go stale. If your search runs long, Will can refresh it. Tell him if anything changes in the meantime, especially a job change, a new credit account, or a large purchase.

Does getting pre-approved hurt my credit?

A mortgage credit inquiry is a hard pull, and it can have a small effect. Credit scoring models generally treat multiple mortgage inquiries within a short shopping window as a single event, so comparing lenders in a compressed timeframe is not the same as opening several new accounts.

Can I get pre-approved if I am self-employed?

Yes. It takes more documentation, and in some cases a bank statement program makes more sense than traditional tax return documentation, particularly if you write off aggressively. Will can look at both paths and tell you which one produces a better approval for your situation.

What should I avoid after I am pre-approved?

Do not open new credit accounts, do not finance a car, do not move large sums between accounts without telling Will, and do not change jobs without a conversation first. Underwriters re-verify before closing, and a change that looked harmless in the moment can reprice or sink the loan.

Can I get pre-approved before I have an agent?

Yes, and it is often the better order. Knowing your number first makes the home search sharper. If you need an introduction to a Spokane or Kootenai County agent afterward, Will can make one with no obligation.

Get started

Send the documents, or start with a call. Call or text (509) 461-5069, or email [email protected].

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William Flanigan, Loan Officer, NMLS #210976. NEXA Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #1660690. Licensed in Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. Arizona Mortgage Banker License #BK-2006218. Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit and property approval. Programs, rates, and terms subject to change. NMLS Consumer Access: https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

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William Flanigan, Loan Officer, NMLS #210976
NEXA Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #1660690
Licensed in Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. Arizona Mortgage Banker License #BK-2006218.
Equal Housing Lender.
NMLS Consumer Access: https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/
Corporate Address: 5559 S Sossaman Rd Bldg #1 Ste #101, Mesa, AZ 85212
Phone: (509) 461-5069