Mortgage underwriting is what happens behind the scenes once you submit your application. It's the process a lender uses to take an in-depth look at your credit and financial background to determine if you're eligible for a loan.
The five stages of a mortgage typically encompass origination, underwriting, closing, funding, and servicing. Origination involves the initial application and documentation by the borrower. Underwriting refers to the comprehensive review process by the lender to evaluate the risk and decide on loan 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.
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.
On average, mortgage underwriting takes between 30 to 45 days to complete. During the process, the underwriter will analyze your application and determine whether you qualify for a mortgage based on financial factors like income, debt and credit.
Key takeaways about mortgage denials in underwriting
Your loan can be denied if you have incomplete or missing information on your loan application or don't meet minimum mortgage requirements. Denials are less common on mortgage loan applications.
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.
Lenders typically consider various factors before approving a loan application. By focusing on building a good credit score, reducing debt, improving your debt-to-income ratio, and providing accurate documentation, you can enhance your eligibility for loan approval.
Once the underwriter has determined that your loan is fit for approval, you'll be cleared to close. At this point, you'll receive a Closing Disclosure.
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.
The “closing” is the last step in buying and financing a home. The "closing,” also called “settlement,” is when you and all the other parties in a mortgage loan transaction sign the necessary documents. After signing these documents, you become responsible for the mortgage loan.
Underwriting—the process by which mortgage lenders verify your assets, check your credit scores, and review your tax returns before they can approve a home loan—can take as little as two to three days. Typically, though, it takes over a week for a loan officer or lender to complete the process.
Spending habits
And they will look to see if you are regularly spending less than you earn consistent with the savings you are claiming. No matter how frugal you might be most lenders have adopted a floor on the living expenses they will accept.
With experience, they progress to Underwriter roles, taking on more complex cases and decision-making responsibilities. Senior Underwriters often manage larger portfolios and may mentor juniors. Advancement can lead to Underwriting Manager or Chief Underwriter positions, overseeing teams and underwriting operations.
The appraisal is typically ordered by the buyer's lender once their initial loan application package has been submitted and is under the early stages of underwriting review.
Your loan officer will submit all your conditions back to the underwriter, who should then issue a “clear to close,” which means you're ready to sign loan documents. This last verification is your final approval.
Underwriting denial rates vary greatly based on the specific loan program, your credit profile, income documentation, etc. As long as you were truthful on your application and have the income/assets to support the mortgage, you should be fine. Just provide any additional documentation the underwriter requests promptly.
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.
Once you've submitted your application, there's not much you can do but wait patiently for a decision. Most underwriters complete their assessment within a week, but often you'll hear from them sooner.
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.
Underwriters and loan officers typically check the previous two months' bank activity in your bank statements. For self-employed mortgage applicants, however, they may go back up to 12-24 months.
The underwriter decides whether a lender will approve your loan and works with you to make sure you've submitted all your paperwork. Ultimately, the underwriter will guarantee you don't close on a mortgage you can't afford. If you don't meet the lender's requirements, the mortgage underwriter will deny the loan.