When starting a home mortgage application, it can help to gather common documents like recent pay stubs, W-2 forms from the past two years, and additional income documentation if self-employed. Lenders may also request bank statements from the last 2-3 months, investment and retirement account statements, and complete federal tax returns for two years. Accuracy and completeness can help reduce back-and-forth and potential delays. Keep documents organized digitally or physically, and be prepared to provide additional items if requested during the review process.