Where do you work?

How much do you make?

How long have you been at your job?

How is your income derived -- steady salary or irregular income?

If it's the latter, you may need to provide more details to obtain a favorable interest rate.

What recurring debts do you have?

How much do you pay a month for auto loans?

Credit cards?

How much of your monthly pretax income do these debts consume?

How much money do you have in the bank?

How much will be left after you pay your down payment and closing costs?

How much money are you putting down?

Is this your own money?

If not, is it a gift from your parents?

A nonprofit agency grant?

Is this mortgage for a home buy or refinance?

If it's a refinance, do you want to take cash out at closing to pay off other debts?

If so, how much?

Do you plan to live in the house?

Is it investment property?

A condominium?

A duplex?

Steady employment (two or more years) with the same employer or in same line of work.

Low debt: no recent major buys (such as automobiles) and a debt-to-income ratio of 36 percent or less.

Loan is for straight home purchase (or rate-and-term refinance).

Property is detached single-family home to be used as primary residence.

Down payment of at least 5 percent of sales price with your own money.

You'll have at least two months' worth of mortgage payments in the bank after closing.

Self-employed or contract worker.

High debt: credit cards maxed out, total debt-to-income ratio more than 36 percent.

Property is a duplex or condominium, to be used as a vacation home or rental.

No cash left after home buy and closing costs.

Down payment is 3 percent or less of buy price and money is borrowed.