Loan Process

Prequalification

Prequalification occurs before the loan process formally begins. The lender gathers financial information from the borrowers and makes a conditional determination about their qualifications for a loan.

Application

The application is the beginning of the formal loan process. The applicant completes a mortgage application with the Mortgage Professional and supplies all of the required information and documentation for processing. Various down payments and “closing costs” are discussed at this time and the borrower will receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and a Truth-In-Lending statement (TIL) that itemize the rates, loan fees, and associated costs for obtaining the loan.

Processing

The lender reviews the documentation and provides a loan package for the loan underwriter.

Underwriting

An underwriter determines whether the information provided is acceptable to offer the applicant a loan. If more information is needed, the applicant is contacted to supply it.

Mortgage Insurance

For a conventional loan, mortgage insurance is required when the down payment is less than 20% of the loan amount. FHA and VA loans also require mortgage insurance or similar protections.

Pre-Closing

During this period, title insurance is ordered, all approval contingencies are satisfied, and a closing date is scheduled for the loan.

Closing

At the closing, the lender “funds” the loan with a cashier’s check, draft or wire to the selling party in exchange for the title to the property. This is the point at which the borrower has completed the loan process and the transaction is “closed.”