Home Loan Process

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned pro, it might be helpful to brush up on the mortgage lending process. We’re here every step of the way to help.

Steps to
11
home sweet home
Step One
Contact your Loan
Originator (LO)
Contact your Loan Originator
Step Two
Receive pre-approval letter
Step Three

Contact Realtor, shop for a
house, and extend an offer to
purchase on your dream home

Contact your Realtor
Step Four
Contact your LO once your offer is
accepted to finalize your loan application
Contact your Loan Originator
Step Five
Schedule your home inspection
Complete Home Insection
Step Six
Your lender orders title commitment,
appraisal, and flood certification
Title Commitment and Appraisal
Step Seven
Obtain your homeowners insurance
Obtain Homeowners Insurance
Step Eight
Your lender will provide
updates on your appraisal
Lender Updates Clients on Appraisal
Step Nine
Underwriters will review all documentation
and work to approve loan for closing
(additional items may be requested) 
Underwriting Occurs
Step Ten

Preview e-sign documents and
electronically sign them up to three
days prior to the closing date

Review Closing Disclosures
Step Eleven

At closing, you will finalize remaining
documentation and receive your keys

Step11
Enjoy your Home Sweet Home
Enjoy
Your New Home
QuestionMarksTool
Thingsto Know
Do I need to get pre-approved first?

Getting pre-approved is the first step in the home loan process. While you may have an idea of what your budget for a new house is, getting pre-approved is the only way to know for sure how much of a mortgage loan you’re eligible for. To get pre-approved, you’ll complete a mortgage application and provide your loan originator with some documents so they can review your financial situation.

Get pre-approved now.

What is a home inspection?

Before you move into your new home, it is generally recommended to get an inspection. This is just the process of a professional coming in to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. It's often a good idea to get a home inspection before you officially sign on the dotted line (sometime shortly after your offer is accepted) so you can more accurately determine the property's condition. Your inspector will review things like the roof, plumbing, foundation, and more, ensuring that the home you're moving into doesn't have any unknown issues. 

What is a title commitment?

When you purchase a new home, you are required to get title insurance, which protects you in case any unknown issues arise that may affect the property. This can’t be issued until after you close and the home becomes yours, so before you actually buy the house the title company issues a “title commitment,” ensuring they’ll provide title insurance once the home is in your name.

Do I need flood certification?

Flood certification simply states the flood zone status of your home. If you were moving into a flood zone and had no idea of it, then experienced water damage from a flood later on, that would be a huge issue – so it’s important for you to know upfront.

Do I need homeowner's insurance?

Yes! Homeowner’s insurance is required to protect your property and assets from any damages or losses. Simply put, this just means that if anything bad happens to your home (or any of your belongings), you are protected and have financial assistance for repairing or replacing your property.

What is an appraisal?

An appraisal determines the value of your home. Unlike a home inspection, which checks for issues with the property, an appraisal is done to simply verify that the amount of money requested for the home is appropriate.

What does "underwriting" mean?

Underwriting is the process of reviewing your mortgage application and documentation to determine if you’re eligible for a certain loan amount or loan program. Our team of expert underwriters will examine all the pieces of your financial puzzle to verify that you’re a candidate for the loan. Simply put, we’re making sure you’re in a position to pay the loan back.

What is in the closing disclosure?

The closing disclosure is a packet that outlines every detail of your mortgage loan, including the term of your loan, interest rate, projected monthly payments, any fees you’re responsible for, etc. It’s important you review this before you get to the closing table so you know exactly what you’re signing on for.