What happens after the underwriter approves a loan?

Asked by: Elliott Reinger  |  Last update: January 18, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (62 votes)

Approved: You may get a “clear to close” right away. If so, it means there's nothing more you need to provide. You and the lender can schedule your closing. However, if your approval comes with conditions, you'll need to provide something more, such as a signature, tax forms or prior pay stubs.

How long does it take to close after underwriting approval?

Working through each step is part of the reason why it can take 30 – 45 days on average to move from underwriting to closing.

What is the next step after underwriting approval?

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

What does it mean when an underwriter approves a loan?

An underwriter's mortgage approval letter is a document issued by a mortgage underwriter that states that a borrower has been approved for a mortgage loan. The letter outlines the terms of the loan, including the loan amount, interest rate, and other details.

What are the four stages of underwriting?

There are four basic elements that an underwriter evaluates, which are:
  • Income. Income refers to both gross and net income. ...
  • Appraisal. Appraisals ensure the property or other purpose of the loan is worth the requested amount. ...
  • Credit score. ...
  • Assets. ...
  • Loan underwriting. ...
  • Securities underwriting.

What Happens After an Underwriter Approves a Home Loan?

25 related questions found

How long does it take for the underwriter to make a decision?

Each situation is different, but underwriting can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Missing signatures or documents, and issues with the appraisal or title insurance are some of the things that can hold up the process.

Are underwriting decisions final?

After looking at all this info, the underwriter makes a final decision about whether you can be approved for coverage and how much it'll cost. Moser says, “The underwriter wants to help the applicant. Even if they can't offer you the rate you applied for, they want to offer you something.”

Can you be denied after underwriting approval?

However, even though prospective homebuyers get pre-approved for a mortgage before shopping for homes, there's no 100% guarantee they'll successfully get financing. Mortgages can get denied and real estate deals can fall apart — even after the buyer is pre-approved.

When an underwriter agrees?

The most common type of underwriting agreement is a firm commitment in which the underwriter agrees to assume the risk of buying the entire inventory of stock issued in the IPO and sell to the public at the IPO price.

How fast can an underwriter approve a loan?

Approval or denial: 1 to 3 days

If the underwriter determines that your overall risk profile is acceptable, you'll receive a letter of commitment detailing the terms and conditions of the loan. You'll also receive a closing disclosure within three business days of closing on your mortgage loan.

Do underwriters pull credit again?

And of course, they will require a credit check. I am often asked if we pull credit more than once. The answer is yes. Keep in mind that within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders only affects your credit rating as if it were a single pull.

What is the final step in mortgage approval process?

Once your loan is approved and your inspection, appraisal and title search are complete, your lender will set a closing date and let you know exactly how much money you'll need to bring to your closing. Close on your home.

Who owns the property on the day of closing?

On closing day, the ownership of the property is transferred to you, the buyer. This day consists of transferring funds from escrow, providing mortgage and title fees, and updating the deed of the house to your name.

Is underwriting the final process?

During the underwriting stage, your application moves from the loan processor to the mortgage underwriter. The underwriter will ensure your financial profile matches your lender's qualification guidelines and loan criteria. Then, the underwriter will make the final decision to approve or deny your loan application.

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.

Do they pull your credit the day of closing?

Lenders typically do last-minute checks of their borrowers' financial information in the week before the loan closing date, including pulling a credit report and reverifying employment. You don't want to encounter any hiccups before you get that set of shiny new keys.

Does underwriting mean you are approved?

In the later stages of the home buying journey, an underwriter will assess your finances and credit history to determine your creditworthiness and ability to repay the mortgage. The underwriter decides whether a lender will approve your loan and works with you to make sure you've submitted all your paperwork.

What is the next step after the underwriter?

The mortgage process is complicated but can be broken into six steps: pre-approval, house shopping, mortgage application, loan processing, underwriting, and closing.

Does the underwriter have the final say?

Underwriting is the process of evaluating and reviewing a potential borrower's creditworthiness, ability to repay, financial profile, submitted documents, and collateral to determine whether the lender can fund the loan. Essentially, underwriters have the final say in whether you qualify for a loan.

Can a loan fall through after underwriting?

Yes, a loan can still fall through after you're cleared to close. Clear to close means your lender has established you've met all the requirements to close on the loan. However, a number of the obstacles discussed above could still cause a loan to fall through before closing day, even if you're clear to close.

How worried should I be about underwriting?

There's no reason for a borrower to worry or stress during the underwriting process if they get prequalified. They should keep in contact with their lender and try not to make any major changes that could have a negative impact on this critical process. That includes taking out new debt or making a big purchase.

Can you be denied on closing day?

To begin with, yes. Many lenders hire external companies to double-check income, debts, and assets before signing closing documents. If you have significant changes in your credit, income, or funds needed for closing, you may be denied the loan.

How long to close after underwriting?

It is important to note that while average closing times might be 47 days for a purchase and 35 days for a refinance, most loans will actually take between 30 days and 75 days to close.

What is the end of the underwriting period?

The underwriting period ends upon delivery by the issuer of the securities to the underwriters (i.e., the bond closing) if the underwriters no longer retain an unsold balance at such time.

What is the underwriting risk?

What is Underwriting Risk? Underwriting Risk may refer to the likelihood of an insurance company suffering a financial loss due to their underwriting activities. Underwriting Risk is the risk that an insurance company will not be able to pay out claims or will have to pay out more than they have collected in premiums.