Your preparation checklist
Income: recent pay records; ask about extra documents for self-employment, commission or multiple jobs.
Savings: account statements, the source of your down payment and documentation for gifts or large deposits.
Budget: current debts, housing history and a monthly payment you are comfortable with. Upload sensitive records only through the secure loan portal.
Ready to start looking around DeWitt or Greater Lansing? A preapproval review can help you understand your financing before making an offer. You can call us before all the paperwork is ready. We’ll tell you what we need.
Gather the documents that apply to you
Recent pay information, bank or investment statements, your debts and the source of your down payment are a useful start. Identification and housing history may also be needed. Your loan officer will give you a list and explain how recent the documents should be.
Self-employed, earning commission or working more than one job? The income review may need additional records. Gifts and large deposits may need documentation too. Get your own list before spending an afternoon gathering the wrong paperwork.
Choose a payment you can live with
Tell us what you’re comfortable paying each month. Include taxes, insurance and any association dues, then leave room for maintenance and the rest of your life. What a lender may approve and what you want to spend can be different amounts.
Know what your letter means
A preapproval is conditional. The home, appraisal and remaining loan requirements still need review. Before you use the letter, check how long it is valid and what changes could require an updated review.
Before making an offer, ask
Which loans can I consider? How much money would I need at closing? What still needs review? Who should my agent contact? What happens if the price or closing date changes?
Use the secure portal for financial records
Upload the application and requested documents through the secure loan portal. Please don’t send account statements or a Social Security number through a general website inquiry. Call us if you need help finding the right place.
Document requests for processing and your right to a Loan Estimate are separate. A lender cannot require verifying documents as a condition of providing that estimate. We can explain when each step happens.
Have questions before getting started? Call (517) 580-5050. Tell us when you’re hoping to buy, and we’ll talk through what to prepare.
Official resources
Educational information, not an offer to lend. Program rules, costs and availability can change. Ask a loan officer about current terms for your situation.
