Mortgage approvals in the years following the financial crisis were anything but easy. Lenders played it safe — tightening the rules, raising credit score requirements, and asking for bigger down payments and more paperwork than ever before. Stability became the name of the game.

Everything from job history to debt-to-income ratios and even local property values could make or break an application. Borrowers had to show steady income, clean credit, and plenty of proof that they could weather financial bumps. On top of that, new consumer-protection regulations slowed things down even more, adding extra layers of review before any green lights were given.

If you’re looking to get approved for a mortgage today, the same principles still apply: build your credit, pay down debt, and save up for a solid down payment. Keeping up with current lending policies — and working with a trusted mortgage professional — can make the process a whole lot smoother. For more detail on the legal side of things, visit our and page.