Why Does Getting A Loan Take So Long?

[Art Maydan]

I’m trying to figure out why getting a loan takes so long. Can someone please explain to me what happens behind the scenes? My lender told me that we can expect ~45 days between closing and when I own the home. What happens in that time that takes 45 days? Getting pre-approved took a day. If they already qualified me, isn’t it just a matter of performing an appraisal, then transferring the deed to me, cutting a check to the owner, and giving me a mortgage?