--- title: "Getting approved for a mortgage: 6 things your lender wants to know" description: We've compiled a list of what you'll need for your lender to get started in the home buying process. image: https://blog.ffbkc.com/hubfs/Projects/2020/2.%20Blog/Hero%20Image/Borrowing/6%20things%20to%20avoid%20homebuying-blog-hero.jpg --- - [Rates](https://www.ffbkc.com/rates/) - [Help](https://www.ffbkc.com/help/) - [About](https://www.ffbkc.com/about/) - [Careers](https://www.ffbkc.com/careers/) - [Contact](https://www.ffbkc.com/contact/) - [Locations](https://www.ffbkc.com/locations/) - Search [![First Federal Bank of Kansas City](https://blog.ffbkc.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/First_Federal_Bank_July_2020/images/logo.svg "First Federal Bank of Kansas City")](https://www.ffbkc.com/) - Login - [Online banking](https://secure-firstfedbankkc.com/SignOn/Logon) - [Make a loan payment](https://paybill.com/consumer/?ClientId=FFBKC_Reg) - [Locations](https://www.ffbkc.com/locations/) - [Contact](https://www.ffbkc.com/contact/) - 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That’s awesome. Whether it’s our first home or an upgrade to handle a growing family, getting our lender involved early can ensure we get the loan that fits us and our situation. Let’s look at the six things the lender will want to know when we’re trying to get approved for a mortgage.  ##### **1. Purpose ** This is pretty straightforward. Our lender should have a good understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish. Is it to get into our first home? Maybe it’s a larger home. Maybe we’re looking to build. Or maybe we just want to downsize for retirement.  ##### **2. Credit** [Our credit score](https://www.ffbkc.com/learn/borrowing/understanding-your-credit-score/) tells our history of paying on past debts like credit cards and other loans. It helps the lender know what type of borrower we are.  ##### **3. Income ** Knowing this helps the lender understand our ability to pay back the loan and to find the right amount for our situation.  ##### **4. Assets ** The lender will want to know what assets we have. These could be things like a home, business, investments, cash in the bank, and more.  ##### **5. Debts ** This tells the lender what we owe to others. It can determine how much money we can get and the interest rate we can qualify for.  ##### **6. Collateral ** The lender will want to know the value of the home we’re wanting to buying.  We have more details on what our lender will want to know - including some of the paperwork we may need to provide. [Download that handy guide here](https://www.ffbkc.com/documents/13/FFB_MortgageAppGuide.pdf). Getting approved for a mortgage is a huge step toward buying a home. But there’s plenty of other things to know when we’re trying to borrow like a boss.[Check out our ebook](https://learn.ffbkc.com/borrowing-like-a-boss-ebook)for great tips that will help us get the money we need for the home we want.  #### Download our Mobile Banking app [![Download the First Federal Mobile Banking for iPhone app on the App Store](https://blog.ffbkc.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/First_Federal_Bank_July_2020/images/app_store.original.png)](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/first-federal-mobile-banking-for-iphone/id905357916?mt=8) [![Get the First Federal Mobile Banking app on Google Play](https://blog.ffbkc.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/First_Federal_Bank_July_2020/images/google_play.original.png)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ffbok.mobile) ## Related Content ##### [Where to Put Your Short-term Savings You have money that you may need to get to. Maybe it’s money in an emergency fund. Maybe it’s savings that you just don’t feel comfortable locking up. Article](https://blog.ffbkc.com/where-to-put-your-short-term-savings) ##### [12 tips to save your first $1,000 Saving money doesn't have to mean living like a hermit. Article](https://blog.ffbkc.com/12-tips-to-save-your-first-1000) ##### [5 tips to help you boost your savings We can rationalize a lot of things. It usually sounds like this: Article](https://blog.ffbkc.com/5-tips-to-help-you-boost-your-savings) - Routing Number: 301071592 - [816.241.7800](tel:8162417800) - P.O. 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