The Mortgage Process Explained

Purchasing a home can be a frustrating and intimidating process. The best way that you can prepare for the purchase of your next home is to know what is required of you and what is happening during your home buying journey. Although, your lender will be the best source to explain the current status of your mortgage, the following is an overview of the stages of the mortgage process.

• Preparation and Pre-approval - The first thing that you should do prior to starting your search for a new home is to find a respectable and knowledgeable lender and to apply for a fully underwritten pre-approval. To obtain a full pre-approval, you will need to provide the lender with the following: proof of income, employment, and source of down payment. This information will allow the lender to determine your maximum buying power and which loan types you qualify for.

• Home Search - After you are pre-approved, you should provide a copy of your pre-approval letter to your real estate agent. When you find a house and your real estate agent presents an offer, the seller and listing agent of the property will likely require a copy of the pre-approval letter for the offer to be considered.

• Loan Application - Once you have a fully signed purchase agreement, you can officially make loan application on the property you are purchasing. You may need updated pay stubs and bank statements for your lender. At this time your lender will likely order the appraisal and title work for the property.

• Underwriting - Once the appraisal and title work has been completed, your mortgage should be submitted to the underwriting department for final approval. If any additional documentation or explanations are needed, they will be requested after the loan has been underwritten. You may receive a conditional approval letter, which outlines the items needed before the loan can close. Avoid new debt, derogatory credit, and changing employment during this stage. If any of these things happen, contact your lender immediately.

• Closing - After you have provided the documentation to clear any approval conditions. You should receive your final approval letter. Your lender will contact the title company to set the closing date for your mortgage. You should receive the closing disclosure three days prior to signing your final papers. Thoroughly compare your closing disclosure to your loan estimate, which you would have received when you made loan application. If there are any discrepancies in fees, contact your lender for an explanation. When you meet with the closing agent to sign your final papers, the mortgage and ownership of the house should transfer by the next business day.

Patience and understanding is needed when purchasing a house and obtaining a mortgage. Stay in contact with your lender and your real estate agent to find out what is going on, and what is needed to keep the process moving forward. Having a greater understanding of what is going on during your home buying process will limit frustration and the potential for the mortgage to be denied. Using experienced and trusted real estate and mortgage professionals should decrease possible delays and make the process smoother.

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