The Underwriting Process

Step 1. The Application

The key to the loan process going smoothly is the initial preparatory work. Whether it’s a mortgage broker or a bank–based lender, you’ll need to provide them all pertinent documentation as early as possible so we can avoid unnecessary problems and delays. Remember, call HR and make sure they’re not going on vacation, pdf your documents, keep records of all fund transfers (such as selling investment funds); any funds transfer for down payments or all–cash deals early; don’t buy a new car or take on a new large line of credit, for example.

Step 2. Requesting Documentation

Within 24 hours of ratification of the Purchase Contract, the lender may request a lender’s credit report (if one hasn’t been pulled already), an appraisal on the property, verifications of employment, mortgage or landlord records, a preliminary title report, picture ID, W–2s (2 years), and any other necessary supporting documentation used in the underwriting process. Be responsive as these are the type of folks who wanted it 15 minutes ago.

Step 3. Loan Submission!

Once all the necessary documentation including the appraisal is assembled, your loan processor will put the loan package together and submit it to the underwriter for approval.

The Preliminary Approval for Fannie/Freddie/FHA Loans

The formal loan application must be documented by the following forms:

• The purchase contract and any relevant addenda
• The Uniform Residential Loan Application (Form 1003 or Form 1003(S)) and, if applicable, a Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Form 1003A or Form 1003AS) 
The initial loan application must include sufficient information for the underwriter to reach an informed decision about whether to approve the mortgage loan
• The final loan application signed by the borrower must include all income and debts disclosed or identified during the mortgage process
• A complete, signed, and dated version of the original and final Form 1003 or Form 1003(S) must be included in the mortgage file

Step 4. Loan Approval

Preliminary loan approval generally takes anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days, whereby a lender’s underwriter will scrutinize the application materials and, if necessary, issue conditions on the loan. Any loan conditions must be satisfied before the loan can close. Be flexible, diligent and responsive as we are at their whim.

Goal: Final loan approval is one thing but if you hear the magic phrase, “clear to close,” then you know that we are, well, clear to close!

Step 5. The 72-Hour Cooling Off Period 

By this point you’re probably wondering how much money you have to send over to the title company. That depends on what amount is stated in the Closing Disclosure document. Within 1 to 5 days after the loan approval, the title company will issue the CD, which is a standardized form that came into use starting in late 2015. The document is supposed to describe and itemize the amounts, charges, costs and credits relating to the transaction. The amount due from you guys (i.e., the remainder of the down payment, advance premiums for insurance and related fees) will be indicated clearly. If there are any changes to the bottom line this will have the ability to derail an on-time closing as each time a Closing Disclosure is issued it must then be followed by a mandatory 3-day cooling off period. So if you see something wrong or if something looks awry say so immediately so we can fix it asap.

You MUST acknowledge receipt of the form as there is a mandatory 72 hour waiting period before the final loan documents (including the Note and Deed of Trust) can be completed.  If there are any changes in costs what the buyers will have to pay an entirely new CD must be generated and a new 72-hour period has to run before loan docs can be finalized. Don’t forget you still have to sign the docs too! Our Escrow Officer will either call you directly or have us make an appointment with you to sign all the the loan documents, which must be signed before a notary public in ink. Be sure you have to have your ID ready!

Step 6. The Signing

After the amounts are finalized, the title rep will reach out to you directly to coordinate the signing. The loan documents are made up of the loan note itself and the deed of trust (i.e., mortgage lien that will be recorded against your title deed). There’s a lot of jargon in these documents that are reply standard and routine. Namely they ask you have insurance in place along with spelling out your loan’s structure. In addition to the signing loan documents you’re going to be signing deed transfer documents, a formal loan application perhaps, permission for the lender to get your credit report and tax transcripts as well as other forms related to the transaction. The title person will go over how property taxes work (remember you’ll be underpaying for the initial time you own until the City’s records are updated in which case you’ll be asked to pay expected shortfall between the sellers’ purchase price and your purchase price). 

Step 7. Funding

Once all the loan documents are signed, they will be returned to the lender, who then reviews the loan package once more. If all the forms have been properly executed, the funds due to the seller will be transferred by wire to the title company who will then ‘cut’ the checks to everyone identified. Note: ALL fund releases must be by mutual consent of the buyer and seller. Title cannot act otherwise.

Step 8. Document Recording

When title receives the funds from your lender, your Escrow Officer will authorize recordation of the signed property transfer documents with the County Recorder. Mr. or Ms. Officer will then prepare a Final Settlement Statement and disburse the proceeds to the seller, pay off existing encumbrances and other obligations (i.e., their loans) and any fees like HOAs or pro–rated property taxes. And, you’ll have to wait until the next day in San Francisco, as we do not have same–day recording, so the transaction will be recorded the next business day typically unless there’s a holiday involved.

Step 9. And We’re …

Either the same day or the nex but when all the money is sent to where it needs to go we are then C-L-O-S-E-D!