Make no mistake, there's a lot involved in getting a mortgage loan. You wouldn't be here on our website if you could fill out a one-page application and get the best loan for you funded the same day. What we do is do most of the heavy lifting for you, so you can concentrate on what's important -- preparing to move into your new home, saving money, or making plans for your home equity check.

The Loan Application Process
We will want to verify certain information about you and the property. Borrower information will include verification of income and employment, assets, and your credit history. You, the applicant, as part of your application process, will usually provide some of this information. Other information, such as your credit history, will be obtained directly from the credit bureaus.

For the property itself, we will order an appraisal in most cases and a legal description of the property, such as a title report. We have "approved appraisal company" lists, so if you have an old appraisal, we may be able to accept it.

The Loan Approval Process
During the "processing" and/or "underwriting" period, your credit, assets, income and other determinants are checked and compiled. Your loan is either approved with conditions, or approved without conditions or declined. Conditions are further documentation or checks we will need to finalize your loan before funds can be dispersed. Some borrowers become frustrated by conditions that surface at the end of a loan transaction and can't understand why they are being raised so late. Final conditions are sometimes added for final approval. We do our best to help you through the process - remember, we are simply trying to meet conditions imposed by other sources.

Since most loans are sold and serviced by other parties, the lender must verify that the loan can be sold upon close. Not to worry, no other terms of your loan can be changed after you have signed your final loan documents. When all conditions are met, your loan documents are drawn up and forwarded to the place of settlement or closing, typically a title and/or escrow company.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Do not make any adverse changes to your financial "picture" during the loan process. Things as simple as applying for a new department store credit card to purchase a new appliance will at least force an explanation to be given and at worst may cause your loan not to fund and the approval to be withdrawn. Many times a final credit report update and additional calls to your employer may be required before funding the loan. Be patient and your loan will flow smoothly.
You've answered a few questions, given us some detailed information, applied online, and next thing you know, you're moving in! We're in the business of mortgage loans, you're not -- so we do most of the work. Doesn't that make sense?