Pre-approval documents for San Diego buyers
Quick answer: Five items start a San Diego pre-approval: recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank statements, a photo ID, and a VA COE if you are using VA. Self-employed files lean on tax returns and K-1s. Gift funds and large deposits need paper. Reserves (months of PITI left after closing) show up more on jumbo and some high-balance files. Underwriting can still ask for more later.
Amir Nurani
Broker / Owner · NMLS #197458
Send the five items below and we can usually issue a usable pre-approval the same day, then stay with you through conditions.
The five documents
- Pay stubs. Most recent 30 days. W-2 employees: the stubs that show year-to-date. If you just changed jobs, include the offer letter.
- W-2s or tax returns. Last two years of W-2s if you are salaried. Federal returns (and K-1s if you have them) if you are self-employed or income is otherwise complex.
- Two months of statements. Checking, savings, and any account that will fund the down payment or closing costs. All pages, including blank ones.
- Photo ID. Driver license or passport. We need a clear copy for the file, not a cropped corner.
- COE if VA. Certificate of Eligibility. It shows entitlement, first use vs subsequent use, and any funding-fee exemption. If you do not have one, we pull it.
Gift funds, large deposits, and condo HOA docs are common add-ons. They are not required to start. Gift rules live on gift funds down payment San Diego. Self-employed income packaging: self-employed mortgage docs California.
Reserves after closing
Bank statements do two jobs: prove the down payment and closing cash, and show reserves left after closing. Reserves are months of PITI still in the account. Baseline conventional purchase files often need little or none. Jumbo and some high-balance overlays ask for more. The 2026 San Diego County 1-unit high-cost conforming line is still $1,104,000 on loan amount. Baseline $832,750. High-balance $832,751 through $1,104,000. Jumbo generally above that. See loan limits and jumbo vs high-balance 2026.
See the longer documents checklist and how pre-approval works if you want the full list. Ready to start? Get pre-approved San Diego. Call (619) 366-9494.
Frequently asked questions
Recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank statements, a photo ID, and a VA Certificate of Eligibility if you are using VA. Underwriting may ask for more later.
No. Pre-qualification is a soft estimate. Pre-approval runs income, assets, and credit against a real file. See pre-approval vs pre-qualification.
Bring it if you have it. If not, we can pull the Certificate of Eligibility. See VA loan San Diego for entitlement basics.
No. The five items start every file. Jumbo versus high-balance changes reserves and overlays later, not the starter list. See loan limits.
Plan on full tax returns and K-1s when you have a partnership or S-corp. Bank statements still matter for assets and reserves. Details: self-employed mortgage docs California.
Ready to get pre-approved?
Start the form. We will tell you exactly which of the five items we still need.
Get Pre-Approved(619) 366-9494 · Amir Nurani · NMLS #197458
Left Coast Leaders, Inc. · NMLS #2394495 · DRE #02191517 · Equal Housing Lender · San Diego, CA