Your Pre-Approval Checklist

What Pre-Approval Is

Pre-approval is a lender's review of your income, credit, assets, and debts — and an estimate of how much you may be able to borrow. It is not a loan commitment, and it is not a rate lock. But it does two useful things: it tells you what price range to shop in, and it tells a seller your offer is backed by a lender's review.

You do not need every item on this page before you call. If you are missing something, call or text 515-770-2491 first — Bryan will tell you what matters for your situation and what can wait.

The Checklist

Identification

• Government-issued photo ID — driver's license or passport.
• Social Security number — you will provide this in the application, because pre-approval includes a credit check.

Income

• Pay stubs — the most recent 30 days.
• W-2s — the last two years.
• If you are self-employed: tax returns for the last two years, plus a current profit-and-loss statement and any 1099s.

Assets

• Bank statements — the last two months, all pages, for every account you will use.
• Investment and retirement statements — the most recent statements, if you will use those funds.

Debts and Obligations

• Statements for current loans — car loans, student loans, credit cards, and any other monthly debts.
• Divorce decree or child support paperwork — only if it applies to you.

Housing History

• Your addresses for the last two years — with landlord name and monthly rent, if you rent.

If Someone Is Helping With the Down Payment

• Gift letter — a signed letter from the person giving the funds, stating it is a gift and not a loan.
• Donor bank statement — showing the funds leaving the donor's account. Lenders generally want to see where large deposits come from.

If You Are Using a VA Loan

• Certificate of Eligibility — if you already have it. If you do not, Bryan can walk through how to request one. Eligibility is the VA's decision alone.

Be Ready to Explain

• Large deposits — be ready to say where any large deposit came from. A short written explanation, with paperwork to match, keeps things moving.
• Credit events — a late payment, collection, or bankruptcy in your past does not automatically end the conversation. Be ready to explain what happened and what has changed since.

How It Works — Four Steps

1. Gather your documents — use the checklist above. Do not worry about having it perfect; start with what you have.
2. Apply — start the application with the Apply Now link above, or call or text 515-770-2491 and talk it through first.
3. Bryan reviews your file with the lender — income, credit, assets, and debts are reviewed together. You may be asked for a missing document or a short explanation.
4. You get a pre-approval letter — it states an estimated amount you are pre-approved for, subject to conditions such as final underwriting and the property itself. That letter goes with your offer.

What Pre-Approval Is Not

• Not a guarantee. Final approval depends on full underwriting, the property, and your situation staying roughly the same through closing.
• Not a rate lock. A pre-approval does not lock an interest rate. Rates and terms are set separately, and nothing about them is promised here.
• Not open-ended. A pre-approval letter is usually good for a limited window — typically 60 to 90 days. Ask Bryan how long yours lasts.
• Not a reason to make big money moves. A new car loan, a large purchase on credit, or a job change before closing can change the picture. If something big comes up, talk to Bryan first.

The Credit Check — What to Expect

Pre-approval includes a credit check. A single credit inquiry typically has a small, temporary effect on a score — and credit checks made while rate shopping in a short window are generally counted as a single inquiry by scoring models. That is general information, not advice about your credit. If your credit needs work first, the credit readiness page explains how Bryan works through that with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need all of these documents before I talk to Bryan?

No. Call or text 515-770-2491 first if you are unsure — he will tell you what is needed for your situation and what can wait.

How long does pre-approval take?

It depends on your file and how quickly documents come in. No timeline is promised here — once your documents are in, Bryan reviews them and follows up with you.

Can I get pre-approved with less-than-perfect credit?

Maybe — it depends on the whole file, not one number. Start with a conversation rather than assuming the answer is no. The credit readiness page covers how Bryan approaches that.

What if I am self-employed?

Self-employed buyers can get pre-approved — the paperwork is just different. Expect tax returns for the last two years, a profit-and-loss statement, and 1099s, and be ready to explain how your business income works.