The 2026 Pre-Approval Checklist: Documents Florida Buyers Should Gather Before Shopping

1) Identity + basic file setup

Have ready:

• Government ID (driver's license or passport)

• Social Security number (or ITIN, if applicable)

• Current address history (last 2 years)

2) Income documents (pick your category)

W‑2 / salaried / hourly

• Last 30 days of pay stubs

• Last 2 years of W‑2s

• Last 2 years of tax returns (if you have overtime, bonus, multiple jobs, write-offs, or 1099 side income)

Bonus, overtime, commission, or variable income

• Pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings

• Last 2 years W‑2s (and tax returns if needed)

• Employer verification or written breakdown of how the income is earned

Self-employed / 1099 / business owner

• Last 2 years personal tax returns (all schedules)

• Last 2 years business returns (if you file them)

• Year-to-date profit & loss statement

• Business bank statements (often last 2–3 months)

If you're self-employed, read this before you apply: Self-Employed in South Florida? How to Qualify for a Mortgage.

3) Asset documents (down payment + reserves)

• Last 2 months bank statements (all pages)

• Last 2 months retirement/investment statements (if using or counting reserves)

• Explanation and paper trail for any large deposits

Gift funds (if family is helping)

• Gift letter (we'll provide the template)

• Donor's bank statement showing ability

• Proof of transfer (wire/cashier's check) and deposit receipt

Gift funds can help accelerate approval, but only if the paper trail is clean. Our guide walks through how gift funds are documented for Florida mortgages and which mistakes delay underwriting.

4) Housing history

• If renting: 12 months cancelled checks or a verification of rent (varies)

• If owning: current mortgage statement, property tax and insurance info, HOA dues (if any)

5) Debts and credit items to watch

• Current statements for installment debts (auto, student loans, personal loans)

• Student loan documentation if payment is unusual (deferment/IDR)

• Avoid opening new accounts while you're shopping

For a bigger planning view of total monthly costs (not just the mortgage), review our breakdown of what your mortgage doesn't show about the true cost of owning a home in South Florida.

6) Florida-specific "speed boosters" (high impact)

• Insurance quote ranges early (especially if you're comparing older vs newer homes). Start early by understanding how Florida home insurance affects your monthly payment and eligibility in 2026.

• HOA/condo docs if you're buying a condo or townhome. If you're buying into an association, review what's considered a reasonable HOA fee in Florida and which red flags to avoid in 2026.

7) A simple "ready to shop" checklist

• [ ] Pay stubs / W‑2s (or tax returns + P&L if self-employed)

• [ ] Bank statements (2 months)

• [ ] ID

• [ ] Gift funds paper trail (if applicable)

• [ ] No new debt while shopping

Next steps

If you're preparing to buy in Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, or anywhere across Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach, this checklist helps you move from "interested" to "offer-ready" fast.

Not sure which documents apply to your income type? A quick review upfront can prevent conditional approvals later.

• Get pre-approved in minutes: Start your application now

• Explore Florida homebuyer programs: You don't need 20% down

• Book a strategy call: Schedule a call

EZ Funding Group, Inc. NMLS #349022 | Jaime Charouf NMLS #348964 | Equal Housing Lender