If your income includes overtime, shift premiums or variable pay, it is helpful to review your documents early. A lender may want to understand what income is regular, what income is occasional and how long that income has been received.
Before applying, it can help to have the following ready:
- Recent pay stubs that show base pay, overtime, shift premiums or other regular earnings.
- T4 slips, notices of assessment or other income documents from the past two years where available.
- A clear list of monthly debts, including credit cards, vehicle loans, lines of credit and student loans.
- Your estimated down payment amount and the source of those funds.
- Details about your current mortgage if you are renewing, refinancing or moving from one property to another.
- Questions about timing, especially if your work schedule makes daytime appointments difficult.
A mortgage review does not have to be high pressure. It can simply help you see what may be possible, what needs to be improved and what steps make sense before you commit to a purchase, renewal or refinance.