Documents Needed for Mortgage Approval: A Practical Checklist by Loan Type in 2026
This practical 2026 guide breaks down the documents needed for mortgage approval by loan type — conventional, FHA, VA, and more — so W-2 employees, self-employed borrowers, first-time buyers, and refinancers can assemble the right package the first time. Start with a free, soft-pull mortgage comparison to identify your loan type before gathering a single document.
No Hard Inquiry Mortgage Preapproval Explained
Learn how no hard inquiry mortgage preapproval works, what it can show, and when a full credit pull is still needed before you make an offer on a home.