Is clear to close the same as final approval?

Asked by: Alanna Beier  |  Last update: February 25, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (69 votes)

When your lender informs you that your mortgage is “clear to close,” it means that all the prerequisites for your loan have been met, and the mortgage underwriter has given the final approval. This includes: Verification of your income and assets. A satisfactory home appraisal and inspection.

Does clear to close mean approved?

Key Takeaways: Clear to close means you've met all your lender's requirements, and your mortgage application is approved. Your lender will give you a closing disclosure listing the specifics of your approved mortgage and closing costs at least three days before closing.

Can a mortgage be denied after clear to close?

Clear-to-close buyers aren't usually denied after their loan is approved and they've signed the Closing Disclosure. But there are circumstances when a lender may decline an applicant at this stage. These rejections are usually caused by drastic changes to your financial situation.

What is a final approval to closing?

The term “clear to close” means the Underwriter has signed-off on all documents and issued a final approval. You meet all of your lenders' requirements to qualify for a mortgage, and your mortgage team has been given the green light to move forward with your home loan.

What does final approval status mean?

Once all the conditions have been met, your mortgage lender will issue you a final approval. This means that the loan has been approved and you can now close on the property.

Final Approval and Getting Cleared to Close

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What comes after final approval?

What's Next in the Mortgage Process? Once the final underwriting approval is issued the file will be assigned to a Closer. The lender's Closer will work with the attorneys to prepare closing instruction and send docs to title.

How long does it take an underwriter to clear to close?

Underwriting can take a few days to a few weeks before you'll be cleared to close. Understanding how underwriting works and the average timeline of the process can help you feel more prepared to handle any issues that may arise while your loan is being underwritten.

Do lenders check bank statements after clear to close?

Lenders are only required to check your bank statements when you initially submit your loan application and begin the underwriting process. After that, it is not typical for a lender to check bank statements again before closing.

What is the last step in the closing process?

You've made it to the last step in the house closing process: signing the final paperwork. Closings usually take place at a title company with a closing agent and any co-borrower(s). There are also options now that allow you to do all of this online.

Do they pull your credit the day of closing?

Credit is pulled at least once at the beginning of the approval process, and then again just prior to closing. Sometimes it's pulled in the middle if necessary, so it's important that you be conscious of your credit and the things that may impact your scores and approvability throughout the entire process.

What can go wrong between clear to close and closing?

Yes, a mortgage can fall through even after you receive the clear to close. Since loan officers and others will verify the information before you close on the house, they'll know if something changes. Also, interest rates fluctuate, which can impact your financial situation.

How long after appraisal clear to close?

The appraisal to closing timeline may vary, but it generally takes two to five weeks to close after completing the home appraisal. How fast can you close on a house? While closing on your new house sooner than the average 43 days is possible, it requires a streamlined closing process.

What happens when you clear your mortgage?

Once a mortgage has been cleared the homeowner can either: Continue to live in the property and enjoy their reduced outgoings. Sell up and make use of the money made from the sale. Remortgage the property with a residential mortgage to access money without having to sell and move elsewhere.

Can a mortgage fall through after clear to close?

Yes, even after receiving a 'clear to close' status, there's a possibility of being denied the loan.

What not to do after clear to close?

While being cleared to close is excellent news, it's important to maintain your financial status quo until after the closing. Any significant changes, like large purchases or a change in employment, could affect your mortgage terms or even result in a last-minute denial.

What happens 3 days before closing?

When the Know Before You Owe mortgage disclosure rule becomes effective, lenders must give you new, easier-to-use disclosures about your loan three business days before closing. This gives you time to review the terms of the deal before you get to the closing table.

What is the final step before closing?

5. Time to close! This is the final step in the California escrow process, and the most important. At this stage, the homebuyer will provide a check for the closing costs that are due.

Can I move in on closing day?

Some buyers may be able to negotiate an immediate possession date. This means as soon as the transaction is closed and the deed is recorded, the buyer can move in. A few other common buyer possession dates may be 15 days, 30 days, 60 days, or even 90 days after closing, depending on how much time the seller needs.

What is the final closing entry?

A closing entry is a journal entry that is made at the end of an accounting period to transfer balances from a temporary account to a permanent account. Companies use closing entries to reset the balances of temporary accounts − accounts that show balances over a single accounting period − to zero.

Can a loan be denied after closing?

Can a mortgage be denied after the closing disclosure is issued? Yes. Many lenders use third-party “loan audit” companies to validate your income, debt and assets again before you sign closing papers. If they discover major changes to your credit, income or cash to close, your loan could be denied.

What happens between conditional approval and clear to close?

Go back into underwriting: Once you've met the conditions of your mortgage approval, your loan will go back to the underwriter. If the conditions have been met and no other issues have surfaced, you'll likely be told you're “clear to close.”

What happens 10 days before closing?

Your lender will need an insurance binder from your insurance company 10 days before closing. Check in with your lender to determine if they need any additional information from you. Get a change of address package from the U.S. Postal Service and begin the change of address notification process.

What is the 3 7 3 rule in mortgage?

Timing Requirements – The “3/7/3 Rule”

The initial Truth in Lending Statement must be delivered to the consumer within 3 business days of the receipt of the loan application by the lender. The TILA statement is presumed to be delivered to the consumer 3 business days after it is mailed.

Can you close the same day you get clear to close?

Cleared to Close: After satisfying all conditions and receiving final approval, you reach the "cleared to close" stage, which usually takes around three days. Closing and Funding: The closing and funding process typically takes about one day.