The Steps to a Perfect Loan
Mortgage Application
Use our Digital Mortgage to obtain your credit scores, print your pre-approval letter and pick a loan program. Once you’ve received your Loan Estimate (LE), you can upload the following*:
- 2 months of paystubs
- 2 months of asset statements
- 2 years of federal tax returns
- Verification of current employment
You'll likely need to provide more documents, but this is a great start.
Home Shopping
With pre-approval and real estate agent in tow, you begin shopping for your home. Keep in mind that during the pre-approval process we estimate taxes, assessments and insurance costs based on assumptions. If you find a home with homeownership costs that exceed your assumed liability, you’ll want to contact your mortgage professional.
Execute the Contract
Once you’ve agreed on a purchase price, you’ll execute a purchase contract. The executed contract should be sent to your mortgage team to complete the preparation of your loan file. Submitting the following in a timely manner will ensure a smoother process:
- Executed contract
- Earnest money
- Updated income and asset documents
- Other relevant documents your mortgage team will request
Your mortgage team will order your appraisal, property title, tax transcripts and many other verification reports.
Conditional Approval
Once your loan is submitted and underwritten, you’ll get a conditional approval returned. So what’s a conditional approval? This is an approval subject to items an underwriter needs to clear your loan to close. Documentation requests can range from an updated pay stub to a letter from your CPA explaining your self-employed earnings. Every loan scenario is different, so requested documents will vary from loan to loan.
Closing
At least 3 days before your confirmed closing date, you’ll receive, review, sign and return your Closing Disclosure (CD). Once cleared for closing, your closing mortgage team will:
- Confirm your closing date and time
- Prepare your closing package
- Confirm all fees
- Send file to title company to prepare for closing day
Close your loan. Receive your keys. Celebrate!
*If Applicant self-reports credit score as “needs improvement,” Rate will not run credit or provide credit scores via the Digital Mortgage. Applicant may request credit scores by contacting Rate. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact Rate for current rates and for more information.