6 Easy Steps to Understand the Mortgage Process

In this blog, we will cover and discuss the 6 easy steps to understand the mortgage process. Many borrowers are often confused about the mortgage process. The 6 easy steps to understand the mortgage process will explain the process from loan application to closing by all lenders. The mortgage qualification process is very complex for most home buyers. This holds true, especially for first-time home buyers We have decided to write and publish the 6 easy steps to understand the mortgage process for homebuyers with a focus on first-time home buyers.

The First Step of the 6 Easy Steps to Understand the Mortgage Process

The first piece of advice I can give all home buyers is to educate themselves on the 6 easy steps to understand the mortgage process from stand to finish. The whole mortgage industry went through a major overhaul and change after the 2008 Real Estate and Mortgage Meltdown. Countless mortgage regulations were implemented. Major changes to the mortgage industry were created by not just mortgage regulators but politicians as well.

Changes In Mortgage Home Loan Process After Housing Bubble

Borrowers need to understand some of the major changes that were implemented and the 6 easy steps to understand the mortgage process is important. It is totally different from what it was prior to the real estate and credit meltdown. The NMLS system was created and launched for mortgage companies and loan officers.

The SAFE ACT was created and implemented. The Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, or CFPB, was created to regulate mortgage lenders and loan officers.

All mortgage loan originators who worked for mortgage brokers and bankers were required to get licensed. Loan officers who work for an FDIC Charter Bank or Credit Union do not have to be licensed. Loan officers who work at banks are exempt from taking the national NMLS Exam and exempt from NMLS federal and state licensing requirements. FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac went through a complete overhaul. New mortgage guidelines were created and launched

6 Easy Steps to Understand the Mortgage Process Outline

The mortgage process is actually a process and consists of six stages. Here is the outline of the 6 Easy Steps to Understand the Mortgage Process 

• Application stage
• Qualification and Pre-Approval Stage
• House shopping stage 
• Loan processing stage 
• Mortgage underwriting 
• The home closing stage of the mortgage process which is the final stage

The Application Stage of The 6 Easy Steps to Understand the Mortgage Process 

The mortgage application stage of the Home Loan Process is the most important stage of the overall mortgage process. Over 75% of our borrowers are folks who were either denied a mortgage at the last minute after a pre-approval or are going through a stressful mortgage process. This is because they were not properly qualified The only reason for last-minute loan denials or constant stress during the mortgage process is because the loan officer did not properly qualify borrowers.

Speak With Our Loan Officer for Mortgage Loans

6 Easy Steps To Understand the Mortgage Process Starting With The Loan Application

Here is the mortgage application stage of the home loan process. There is no reason why a pre-approved borrower should not just close on their home loan but close the home loan on time: The loan officer will take the applicants’ official mortgage loan application. Application is a four-page home loan application called 1003. The loan officer will run a tri-merger credit report

6 Easy Steps To Understand the Mortgage Process Submitting Legible Document For Smooth Process

The loan officer will request the mortgage documents required to process your loan which include the following:

• • two years of tax returns
  • two years W2s
  • 30 days paycheck stubs
  • 60 days bank statements and asset statements
  • other documents that pertain to your credit and financial profile
  • For Veteran borrowers with a Certificate of Eligibility, the loan officer should get documentation
  • Get it from the VA of the borrower’s military certification
  • The Department of Veteran Affairs will provide the COE, Certificate of Eligibility to the lender
  • Borrowers can also pull it themselves as well through the VA website
  • One of the most important things many loan officers do not do is thoroughly review the borrower’s credit report
  • Just taking a quick glimpse of the credit report to make sure the borrower meets the minimum credit score requirements and credit items is not sufficient
  • This is one of the main reasons for stress during the mortgage process
  • The loan officer needs to go over line item per line item with the borrower
  • Make sure that the items reported on the borrower’s credit report are accurate especially credit card balances as well a public record
  • Public records not showing up on the credit report needs to be addressed
  • This is because it will be discovered when the lender does a third party public records search during the home loan process
  • Cannot have credit disputes while in the home loan process
  • If there are, it needs to be retracted before proceeding with the home loan process
  • Most lenders have lender overlays

Just because a borrower may meet federal lending guidelines does not mean the lender may not have additional overlays. Any uncertainties by the loan officer, the loan officer should get a second and third opinion and note it on the borrower’s file before issuing a pre-approval letter. All applications should be run through an Automated Underwriting System loan approval before a pre-approval letter is issued. Once a pre-approval letter is issued, the borrower can now shop for a new home. Can enter into a real estate purchase contract.

Executed Purchase Contract

Once armed with a solid pre-approval letter, buyers can now go shopping for a home and enter into a real estate purchase contract. Once an executed real estate contract, buyers need to provide it to the loan officer so the home loan process officially starts. Here is what the next steps of your home loan process are:

• The loan officer will ask you for updated documents
• The loan officer will need to provide borrowers with a Loan Estimate which is also called LE
• The Loan Estimate is the new GFE or Good Faith Estimate
• CFPB replaced the old GFE with the new Loan Estimate
• The Loan Estimate will state the estimated costs of closing costs
• Need to receive Loan Estimate within 3 days of completing the mortgage loan application

The Loan Estimate & Mortgage Loan Disclosures

The Loan Estimate will consist of the following breakdown of closing costs and terms of the mortgage loan. Again, a Loan Estimate is not a true bottom-line cost sheet but an estimated cost. Loan Estimate will properly be overly disclosed which means that lenders normally over disclose closing costs:

The Loan Estimate is also referred to as the LE. The Loan Estimate states a list of itemized closing costs. The LE will state the mortgage rate, P.I.T.I., which is the principal, interest, taxes, insurance.

The Loan Estimate will state the type and term of the mortgage loan borrowers are applying for. A mortgage processor will be assigned to file. Mortgage disclosures will be emailed out to the borrower. Once the borrower signs the mortgage documents, the mortgage home loan process officially starts.

Mortgage Processing Stage of The Home Loan Process

Once acknowledging and signing loan disclosures, a mortgage processor is assigned. There are five stages of the processing stage of mortgage loan application:

1. Opening
2. Processing
3. Submitting To Underwriting
4. Clearing Conditions
5. Submitting To Clear To Close

Role of Mortgage Processors

The role of mortgage processors is the following:

• Gathering all mortgage docs
• Make sure that all docs are complete and have no missing pages
• Start verification of employment, verification of deposit, verification of rent
• Order home appraisal
• Order Title
• Order IRS Verification

Coordinate closing with the title company. Once the file is conditionally approved by the mortgage underwriter, gather conditions and prepare the file for clear-to-close.

Get approve your loan today, click here

Underwriting Stage of Home Loan Process

The mortgage underwriter is the person that will review the loan application. Underwriters issue the mortgage loan approval or loan denial because the borrower does not meet the lending guidelines. If the mortgage underwriter deems the borrower qualified, the underwriter will issue a conditional loan approval.

Conditional Loan Approval

A conditional loan approval issued by the mortgage underwriter is if the underwriter feels the borrower is qualified and meets guidelines, they will issue a conditional approval. Once certain conditions for the underwriter are met after conditional loan approval, the underwriter will issue a clear to close. CTC means that the underwriter is ready to sign off for the closing department to prepare docs for closing and wire funds. An example of conditions on a conditional mortgage loan approval may be the following:

• updated bank statements
• homeowners insurance declaration page
• most recent paycheck stubs
• final verification of employment
• proof of funds for cash to close
• letters of explanations for certain uncertain issues the underwriter may have

Locking the rate will be another condition. A mortgage underwriter cannot issue a clear to close without the loan officer locking the rate.

Pre-Closing Leading to Clear-to-Close

Once the mortgage processor has gathered all conditions, the processor then packages the file and submits the file for a clear to close to the underwriter who has issued the conditional loan approval. The underwriter will go and review the conditions and most of the time, the underwriter will issue a clear to close.

A mortgage underwriter can find additional conditions that may be required. If this is the case, the file goes back to the mortgage processor, and the process of gathering conditions restarts.

Needs to be resubmitted to the underwriter for a clear to close. Once the underwriter issues a clear to close, the mortgage file is nearing the finish line. The file is then submitted to the closing department of the lender and the closing department will coordinate the closing with the title company.

Closing Disclosure

The closing department of the lender and the title company will start working on the Closing Disclosure. The Closing Disclosure also referred to as the CD, will state the exact list of closing costs and the cash to close required by the borrower and the proceeds going to the seller. The Loan Estimate was the expected costs or estimated costs. The Closing Disclosures are the exact costs. Once a final CD has been issued, there is a three-day mandatory waiting period for all to review the Closing Disclosure before closing.

Final Walk-Through of The Home Loan Process

Most home buyers will do a final walk-through of the home they are buying 24 hours to 48 hours prior to closing. This is where the home buyer can make sure that the home is in ready move-in condition and that everything is working and in good condition. Any damage or defects to the home needs to be brought to attention during the final walkthrough of the property.

Closing Is The Final Step Of The Home Loan Process

The home closing is the moment buyers and sellers were waiting for. Both buyers and sellers sign closing docs, the lender wires the funds, the keys are transferred to the buyers and the proceeds of the sale are given to the home sellers.