If you’re getting ready to buy a home in Washington State, one of your first steps is getting preapproved. And to be truly preapproved — not just prequalified — you need to provide documentation that backs up your income, assets, and credit.
A preapproval letter is only as strong as the file behind it. If your loan originator hasn’t asked for supporting documents, you’re likely prequalified, not preapproved. There’s a meaningful difference — especially when you’re competing for a home. (Here’s a full breakdown of what each level means.)
Below is a checklist of what you’ll typically need to provide, organized by situation. It’s possible that exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. [Read more…]
How Much Can a Seller Pay Toward a Buyer’s Closing Costs? (Updated for 2026)
This situation comes up more often than you might expect: a homeowner refinances their current home using owner-occupied financing — getting a better rate than they would on an investment property — and then wants to buy a new primary residence. Is that allowed? And if so, how soon?
