Understanding The Mortgage Loan Process (2024)

Follow these eight steps to get a mortgage loan and become a new homeowner.

1. Figure Out What You Can Afford

Before you begin the mortgage process, it's important to assess your finances and make sure you’re ready to purchase a home. With a new monthly mortgage payment, it’s crucial to know if you can afford it, along with homeowners insurance, property taxes and the ongoing expenses of homeownership. Using a home affordability calculator is a great way to learn how much house you can afford. This tool can help you understand what home price is within reach.

2. Choose A Lender and Get Preapproved For A Loan

Mortgage preapproval shows you how much a mortgage lender is willing to lend you. Mortgage lenders calculate this amount and your interest rate by assessing your income, credit history, credit report, assets and credit score. Keep in mind that preapproval will make you more attractive to home sellers and real estate agents. This is because you’re already vetted and ready for the mortgage loan process.

3. Find Your Dream Home And Put In An Offer

Now it’s time to start looking for your dream home. Look at any homes you think could be the right fit, and don’t be afraid to ask your real estate agent for help during the house hunt. Once you find the perfect home, you’ll need to put in an offer. You’ll also submit your earnest money deposit to secure the offer on the home.

4. Finalize Your Choice Of Mortgage Lender

Once your offer is accepted on a new home, you can move forward and choose a mortgage lender. It’s best practice to shop around with at least a couple of different lenders to find the best interest rates and fees for your specific loan.

Keep in mind – your interest rate depends on your mortgage application and the type of loan you’re applying for. For example: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan mortgage rates are usually better than average conventional mortgage rates. Meanwhile, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans tend to have more competitive rates. It’s important to question mortgage lenders to understand what they’re offering.

5. Submit Your Mortgage Application

After you’ve selected a mortgage lender, it’s time to fill out a mortgage application. Once you’ve submitted all of the necessary documents to complete your application, you’ll get a Loan Estimate in a couple of days that will disclose the terms, rates and fees of your home loan.

6. Go Through Mortgage Underwriting

The underwriting process consists of your mortgage lender reviewing your application and verifying your income, assets, debt and property details. Once verification is complete, you’ll receive final approval on your loan application. For the borrower, action may be required at this step unless the lender has any specific questions or needs any additional documents.

7. Prepare Your Down Payment And Closing Costs

This is where down payments and closing costs come into play. You’ll need to have the down payment for the property, closing costs and proof of homeowners insurance. This information can be found in the Closing Disclosure, which you’ll receive after mortgage underwriting has been completed. You’ll provide the cash needed for your down payment, closing costs and any other fees at your closing meeting.

8. Close On Your New Home

The final step is to attend your closing day meeting and officially become a homeowner. At this closing meeting, you’ll sign all necessary documents and ask any remaining questions regarding the sale or the property itself. Typically, the closing attorney or title company conducts this meeting in person, but e-closings are also available. Once everything is signed and handed over, you’ll receive the keys to your property, and you’ll officially be able to move into your new home.

Understanding The Mortgage Loan Process (2024)

FAQs

What are the stages of the mortgage process? ›

Most people go through six distinct stages when they are looking for a new mortgage: pre-approval, house shopping, mortgage application, loan processing, underwriting, and closing.

What are the four stages in the loan process? ›

The typical journey of a loan from submission of documents to disbursem*nt goes through four stages: loan signing, loan funding, recording, and disbursem*nt.

What is the mortgage process cycle? ›

It begins with assessing personal finances, researching lenders, and obtaining pre-approval. The application and approval stage involve completing paperwork, providing supporting documents, and undergoing evaluation. The closing stage finalises the Mortgage agreement and transfer of ownership.

Can a loan be denied after pre-approval? ›

Mortgages can get denied and real estate deals can fall apart — even after the buyer is pre-approved. If you're aware of the pitfalls, you'll reduce the chance it can happen to you!

What are the 5 phases of buying a home? ›

Let's break down how to get there.
  • Step 1: Prepare your finances. Before you begin your search for a home, figure out what you can realistically afford. ...
  • Step 2: Prequalify for the right loan. ...
  • Step 3: Call a real estate agent. ...
  • Step 4: Lock in your mortgage. ...
  • Step 5: Prepare to close.

What are the 4 Cs in loan? ›

It binds the information collected into 4 broad categories namely Character; Capacity; Capital and Conditions. These Cs have been extended to 5 by adding 'Collateral', or extended to 6 by adding 'Competition' to it (Reference: Credit Management and Debt Recovery by Bobby Rozario, Puru Grover).

What are the 4 Cs of loan underwriting? ›

“The 4 C's of Underwriting”- Credit, Capacity, Collateral and Capital.

What is the loan processing cycle? ›

They include the pre-qualification stage, application submission, application processing, underwriting process, disbursem*nt, secondary markets, and loan servicing. This is the first stage of the loan life cycle in banking. It sets the loan origination phase in motion by signifying the borrower's intentions.

How long does mortgage approval take? ›

Generally speaking, it usually takes two to six weeks to get a mortgage approved. The application process can be accelerated by going through a mortgage broker who can find you the best deals that suit your circ*mstances. A mortgage offer is usually valid for 6 months.

What is the final stage of loan approval? ›

Loan has been funded. The final step on the loan process is now complete: Your loan has been funded! At this time, all documentation is complete and the funds for the loan have been disbursed to the seller (for purchase) or to the payoff of the prior loan (for refinance).

How long does underwriting take for a home loan? ›

Underwriting can take a few days to a few weeks before you'll be cleared to close.

What are the 5 stages of a mortgage? ›

Navigating the Mortgage Process in Five Simple Steps
  • Get pre-qualified. Before you go house hunting, it's important to get a strong sense of what you can afford. ...
  • Submit your loan application. ...
  • Lock in an interest rate. ...
  • Get your loan approved. ...
  • Close the deal.

What are the steps of the mortgage process in the correct order? ›

There are six distinct phases of the mortgage loan process: pre-approval, house shopping; mortgage application; loan processing; underwriting and closing. Here's what you need to know about each step.

What is loan processing in mortgage? ›

They Collect Your Financial Documents

Collecting and ensuring that financial information is in order is a loan processor's most important responsibility. This step includes confirming that the correct documents are present and contain the accurate information the underwriter needs to approve your loan request.

At what stage is a mortgage approved? ›

After having an offer accepted on a property and applying for a mortgage, on average it can take from two to six weeks to get a mortgage approved.

Is mortgage underwriting the last step? ›

Underwriting decision

Once the underwriter is satisfied with your application, the appraisal and title search, your loan will be deemed clear to close and can move forward with closing on the property.

How long does mortgage processing take? ›

From application to approval and closing, getting a mortgage can take anywhere from 30 days to 60 days. However, some home purchases can take longer, depending on factors unique to the purchase transaction and the home loan processing time.

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