A pre-approval is only as strong as the file behind it. Most delays we see are not credit problems — they are documentation problems discovered late.
Bring two years of tax returns, two months of full bank statements including every page, 30 days of pay stubs, and written explanation for any deposit that is not payroll. Self-employed borrowers should add year-to-date profit and loss.
The two items that most often stall a closing are large undocumented deposits and recently opened credit lines. Both are avoidable with a conversation before you shop.
From the book
This topic is covered in depth in Real Estate Intelligence: A Homebuyer's Guide to Success. A free sample chapter is available.