Scenario
A borrower is self-employed, income is unclear, and the member is tempted to post a panic paragraph. The lesson converts that paragraph into a structured ask.
Season 1 curriculum
Free roomModule 0 - Start Here7 min · Jim + Janice
Lesson 5 · Worked example
How to Ask a Clean File Question
Turn messy file anxiety into a question another professional can actually answer.
Learner Outcome
The member can post a scenario using the Mortgage Dorks five-bucket format.
Skool summary
Use the five-bucket format before asking for help: borrower, property, product, pressure, and the exact decision needed.
1
The five buckets
Most file questions fail because they skip the shape of the decision. Mortgage Dorks uses five buckets: borrower, property, product, pressure, and decision. Borrower is income, credit, assets, occupancy, and employment. Property is type, value, units, project risk, and location issues. Product is the path you think might fit. Pressure is deadline, lock, contract, or relationship risk. Decision is the next move you need help choosing.
2
Before and after
Before: 'Any lender for a self-employed borrower with weird income?' After: 'Self-employed primary purchase, 680 mid, 10% down, two years filed but current year is down. W-2 spouse helps but not enough. Need to know whether to keep fighting agency with add-backs or pivot to bank statements before offer deadline Friday.'
3
What to leave out
Leave out names, addresses, exact employer names, full credit reports, bank screenshots, and private documents. You can round figures when precision is not required. You can say 'mid-600s' or 'about 8 months reserves' unless the exact figure changes the answer.
Homework
- Rewrite one current file question using the five-bucket format.
- Post it in Deal Help only after removing borrower-identifying details.